European Nations Settle in North America

  • Verrazzano
    Jan 1, 1524

    Verrazzano

    Verrazzano, sailing for France discovers New York Harbor
  • Jamestown is Founded

    Jamestown is Founded

    Jamestown is founded on the coast of Virginia by 100 English settlers
  • Samuel de Champlain

    Samuel de Champlain

    French explorer, Samuel de Champlain, founds the colony of Quebec
  • Henry Hudson

    Henry Hudson

    Henry Hudson, exploring the Netherlands, claims land that will become New Netherland
  • Smallpox Epidemic

    Smallpox Epidemic

    An epidemic of smallpox, brought by Europeans, kills many native Americans on the New England coast
  • New Colony is Founded

    New Colony is Founded

    Pilgrims from England found an English Colony in Plymouth, Massachusetts
  • The Duke of York

    The Duke of York

    The Duke of York drives out the Dutch in New Netherland. The Duke of York claims the colony for England and renames it New York.
  • Jacques Cartier

    Jacques Cartier

    Frenchman Jacques Cartier navigate the St. Lawrence River names an island along the River Montreal
  • King Phillip's War

    King Phillip's War

    King Phillip's war begins in Colonial villages of Massachusetts, between colonists and Native Americans
  • Sieur de la Salle

    Sieur de la Salle

    Sieur de la Salle explores the lower Mississippi Valley River, and claims the valley for France and names it Louisiana in honor of the French King Louis XIV
  • British and French War

    British and French War

    War between the British and French, known as the French and Indian war. The war is fought over disputed land claims in the Ohio Valley.