Exploration and Settlement

Columbus lands at Hispaniola in the Caribbean

1492

Columbus made contact with the Native Americans for the first time on his voyage to find the continent west of the Atlantic Ocean.

Balboa "Discovers" the Pacific Ocean in Panama

1513

Vasco Nunez crossed the isthmus of Panama and discovered the Pacific Ocean. He traveled with 190 Spaniards and over 100 slaves.

Cortes conquers the Aztecs at Tenochtitlan (Mexico City)

1521

Cortes came to capture Moctezuma and became disgusted when they did human sacrifices. They also went to find gold and claim land.

De Soto explores the region between Florida and the Mississippi River

1539

De Soto was amazed by the riches and fertile land on the continents, which made him want to explore more. All his exploring soon led to the discovery of the Mississippi River.

First permanent settlement is founded in Jamestown, Virginia

1607

Jamestown was found in what is now North Carolina.

Mayflower Pilgrims found Plymouth colony In Massachusetts

1620

Plymouth was the first major colony. Pilgrims wanted to be somewhere they could have religious freedom from the Protestant church.

English Settlers defeat Native Americans in King Philips War

1676

After they defeated the Native Americans, all of England was now open for English colonization.

France claims the Mississippi River Valley and names it Louisiana

1682

Rene Robert and Siur de La Salle claimed the MS River fro France