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Jan 29, 1492
Columbian Exchange
As European powers started to colonize the American continent, they started to export and import goods. Specifically, plants, animals, diseases and technologies were traded. These exchanges had profound impacts such as European animals and diseases wiping out the native peoples.Therefore this increased European influence and power in the Americas. -
Jan 29, 1524
Establisment of Colonial Governments
As the colonies of European powers like Spain, Portugual, England, and France grew, it became necessary for the Crowns of these nations to establish a strong presence. Therefore they started to implement colonial governments that were under the direct control of the Crown. The first of these was the Council of the Indies established by Spain. As time went on, Viceroys became more and more powerful as rulers of their colonies. -
Jan 29, 1542
Catholic Church's influence
Although colonial governments were in official control of the colonies, the Catholic Church was also a great power in the colonies. The Catholic Church sought to convert Amerindians to Christianity, but at times, the clergy became abusive of the natives. As a result, some clergy like Bartolome de Las Casas started to sympathize and protect the Amerindians and created the New Laws of 1542. These laws gave rights to Amerindians. -
Feb 1, 1545
Colonial Economy
Many European powers colonized the New World in order to become richer. This came to be realized with the discovery of Potosi in Peru. This mine was the single richest silver desposit discovered in the New World. As a result, the economies of European powers were stimulated and trade was increased between Europe and Asia. -
More European Settlement of the Americas
As Spain and Portugual saw much success in colonizing the Americas, powers such as England and France began to take notice and follow suit. Most notably, England's first settlement, Roanoke, was established in 1584, but ultimately failed. Later on England relied on private enterprise to colonize the New World, and a successful colony called Jamestown emerged. Soon the North American East coast was a huge English colony. France colonized Canada and relied on fur trade. -
French Settlement of America
The French settled North America in what is now known as Canada. In 1608, Samuel de Champlain founded the colony of New France on the St. Lawrence river. This location gave way to French involvement in Amerindian affairs, especially wars and the fur trade. Soon the French people became extremely entrenched in Amerindian affairs and culture. -
Expansion of English Colonies- North
Some Enlglish settlements were results of Englishmen seeking religious refuge in the 1600s. Soon, a group called the Pilgrims settled New England. Pilgrims sought to completely split from the Church of England. The Pilgrims settled the Plymouth colony that was absorbed by the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1691. -
English Colonial Goverments
As English colonies grew, so too did their governments. Most notably, the Virginia Colony created the first democratic representational government in the North American Colonies. This government was called the House of Burgesses. With this creation came the expansion of colonial liberties and political rights. -
Expansion of English Colonies- South
English colonies expanded as more English settlers came west. In 1670, settlers from the island of Barbados started to settle English lands south of Virginia. This land came to be known as North Carolina and South Carolina. In 1729 they became official English colonies and were a high source of profit as rice, and indigo plantations were developed over time. -
Colonial Reform
In the mid 18th Century, colonial governments in the Americas started to decline and reform, especially France. France lost its North American colonies in 1763, while Spain began to lose its Empire as a result of imperial wars and reduced trade to Spain from the colonies. Meanwhile, English colonies began to see increased economic activity, increased European immigration, and increased urbanization. As a result, English colonies gained power.
