Exploration and Settlement

  • Columbus lands at Hispaniola in the Caribbean
    1492

    Columbus lands at Hispaniola in the Caribbean

  • Balboa "discovers" the Pacific Ocean in Panama
    1513

    Balboa "discovers" the Pacific Ocean in Panama

  • Cortes conquers the Aztecs at Tenochtitlan (Mexico City)
    1521

    Cortes conquers the Aztecs at Tenochtitlan (Mexico City)

  • De Soto explores the region between Florida and the Mississippi River.
    1539

    De Soto explores the region between Florida and the Mississippi River.

    1539-1541
  • First permanent English settlement is founded in Jamestown, Virginia.

    First permanent English settlement is founded in Jamestown, Virginia.

  • Mayflower Pilgrims found Plymouth colony in Massachusetts.

    Mayflower Pilgrims found Plymouth colony in Massachusetts.

  • English settlers defeat Native Americans in King Philip's War.

    English settlers defeat Native Americans in King Philip's War.

  • France claims the Mississippi River, Valley and names it Louisiana.

    France claims the Mississippi River, Valley and names it Louisiana.