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Period: Jan 1, 1400 to
Colonial Times
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Oct 12, 1492
Columbus "Discoveres" America
While trying to sail west to Asia, Columbus and his crew spotted land on October 12th ,1492. This island is what he believed was the Asian islands known as the West Indies. Little did he know , that the land he had discovered and claimed for Spain was actually a country that would become "America." -
May 1, 1497
Cabot's Northern Voyages
Colombus' voyages inspired another Italian explorer, John Cabot. However, Cabot believed a more northern route to Asia would be shorter and easier. Neither Spain nor Portugal had any interest in his idea, but the English were interested enough to finance a voyage of exploration. His second voyage occured un 1498. -
Jan 1, 1519
Magellan's Travels
Magellan and his crew circumnavigate, or travel aroung, the world for Spain. -
Nov 8, 1519
Cortes Creates Mexico City
On November 8, 1519, Herndando Cortes marched into the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan. As the Spaniards moved closer to Tenochtitlan, many Native Americans joined them. Moctezuma tried to bribe Cortes to leave by offering gold. However, the gold had an opposite effect. Cortes took Moctezuma hostage and claimed all of Mexico for Spain. The Aztecs soon rebelled forcing the Spaniards to flee. A year later, he returned with a larger force, recaptured Tenochtitlan, destroyed it, and built Mexico City. -
Jan 1, 1524
The Atlantic Coast
Verrazano explores along the Atlantic Coast for France -
Jan 1, 1530
Religious Conflicts in Europe
By 1530, the rulers of Sweden, Denmark, and several European states had split with the Roman Catholic Church and set up Protestant churches in their countries. John Calvin had a great influence on the development of Protestant churches in France, Switzerland, Scotland, and the Netherlands. -
The Begining of the Spanish Armada
King Phillip II assembled a fleet of 130 warships known as the Spanish Armada. He hoped to force Elizabeth from the thone. A fleet of English ships met the Spanish off the coast of France. The English sunk more than half of the Spanish ships. The defeat of the Spanish Armada changed the balance of power in Europe. Spain was greatly weakened. After England and France created colonies in the Americas, the confilcts spread to the forming colonies. -
New France
The French began to settle colonies in the early 1600's. In 1603, Samuel de Champlain made the first 11 voyages to explore and map lands along the St. Lawrence River. He established a settlement on the banks of the St. Lawrence, which he named Quebec. -
John Smith Takes Charge
In the fall of 1608, John Smith was sent out from London to lead the colony of Jamestown. He drew up tough, new rules. Under Smith's firm leadership, the Jamestown colonists cut timber, put up new buildings,and planted crops.To gain food, Smith raided Native American villages, which angered Powhatan and caused him to believe the English intended to "invade his people and posses his country." -
The Mayflower Compact
In September 1620, about 100 Pilgrims sailed for Virginia aboard a ship called the Mayflower. Eventually they landed in North America ; far to the north of what is now today Massachusetts. They called their new home Plymouth. Because they had landed outside of Virginia, the Pilgrims believed the were not bound by the rules of the VIrginia Company, but they still needed some form of rules. Before leaving the ship, 41 adult men signed the Mayflower Compact, which allowed them "just & equal laws." -
The First Thanksgiving
In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims set aside a day to give thanks for their good fortune. Today's Thanksgiving holiday celebrates that occasion. -
Puritans Leave England
In 1630, about 900 Puritans set off in 11 ships. They had formed the Massachusetts Bay Company, which recieved a charter to establish settlements in what are today Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The Puritans were led by John Winthrop, a well respected landowner and lawyer. -
Exploring the Mississippi
Marquette and Joliet explore the Mississippi River for France. -
Spanish Florida Weaken English Colonies
To weaken the English colonies, in 1693, the Spanish announced that enslaved Africans who escaped to Flordia would be protected. They would be given land if they helped to defend the colony. During the 1700's, hundreds of enslaved African Americans fled to Florida -
The Mason-Dixon Line
Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon were hired to settle a boundary dispute between Maryland and Pennsylvania. After four years, they drew a boundary known as The Mason-Dixon line.
