Colonizing the Americas

Leif Erikson is the first European to step foot in America.

Jan 1, 1001

In 1001, Leif Erikson, son of the famous viking Eric the Red, lands on the shore of what later becomes Newfoundland (he called it "Vinland). It is an island off the Atlantic coast of Canada, and was where European colonization started.

Columbus Shpiwreck

Jan 1, 1492

Christopher Colombus is an Italian Explorer. He voyages agcross the Atlantic Ocean in hopes to discover new land to colonize. His expedition was sponsored by Queen Isabella of Spain, who in return would take the land found for Spanish colonies. Unfortunately, these plans for Columbus' expedition never met reality, because only a few months into his expedition, all three of his ships, the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria all wrecked during a violent, vicious storm.

Columbus' Voyage is Considered a Failure

Jan 1, 1495

3 years after Columbus and his crew set out on their voyage, no one in Europe has heard from them. They assume that this meant that Columbus and his team did not make it, the most likely cause being a shipwreck. Though people still did believe there was land to be explored, Queen Isabella did not sponsor any more voyages for a long time.

Scandinavian Settlers expand their colonies

Jan 1, 1500

In the late 15th Century and into 16th Century the Scandinavian settlers begin to expand their colonies. For the past 400 years, they had settled far in the North of the Americas, in present day Canada, because it was the climate they were used to. However, they began to adapt and started to move their settlements father west, and especially farther South then they ever had gone.

Settlers declare war on Native Americans

Jan 1, 1524

As the settlers begin to move farther south and west, the conflicts between them and the Native Americans are stronger than before. Constantly fighting over land and resources left the m on very, very, unfriendly terms. The settlers wanted to expand, but the Native Americans restricted them from doing so. This led to so many problems, that eventually the Scandinavian settlers declared war on the Native Americans.

War Ends

Jan 1, 1528

After 4 years of bloody fighting, both sides are permantly weakened. Though the settlers are more advanced in weapons, the Native Americans and Settlers were evenly matched, because the settlers were fighting in unfamiliar land. The Native Americans were still behind, and decided to try and make peace with the settlers. In 1528, a peace treaty was created, ending, the war. The settlers claimed most of the land, leaving small patches of ruined, unfertile land for the Native Americans.

Other Europian countries decide to find the "New World"

Jan 1, 1550

Scandinavian countries like Iceland, Norway, and Finnland continue to colonize the Americas, but kept it low profile, because they did not want to give away the secret of their valuable land. However, powerful countries like England and Spain become suspicious after hearing rumors that the Scandinavian countries have supposedly been colonizing a "New World". They both send out exploration teams to find the "New World" and claim the land as their own.

England Tries to Colonize New Land

Jan 1, 1553

Winston Wellingon of England landed on the coast of present day South Carolina in 1553. The Snadenavian settlers had not yet colonized that far South, so Wellington returned back to England with news of his "discovery". Soon, England was sending more and more explorers and politians to America to help colonize. Within 20 years the English settlers had colonized the entire East Coast from present day Georgia to present day Virginia.

England declares war on Scandinavian settlers

Jan 1, 1577

As the Engish settlers colonized into the north and the Scandinavian settlers farther into the south, conflict arose. Both nations fought over the fertile land. Spain, who was also trying to colonize the Americas, sided with the Scandinavian settlers. This was because England and Spain had had ongoing conflicts for the past 100 years. Spain believed that if they helped the Scandinavian settlers win, then they would later be able to conquer them and take the vast expanse of land for themselves.

War Ends

Jan 1, 1580

The Spanish helped the Scandinavian settlers hold themselves, though sfter 3 years the war became to costly for them, and they withdrew themselves from battle. It was now the Scandinavian settlers fighting on their own against the large English army. The Scandinavian's were quickly dfeated for their lack of soldiers, experience, and modern technology. The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of London. This left the Scandinavian settlers with no land exept for Newfoundland.

Revolutionary War Begins

Jan 1, 1775

The English colonies go to war against Great Britain as they try to become an independant nation. The colonies win and the United States of America are formed.