Exploration and Settlement

  • 1492

    Columbus lands at Hispaniola in the Caribbean

    Columbus lands at Hispaniola in the Caribbean
    Columbus sighted Cuba, and thought is was the mainland of china, and later his expedition led him to Hispaniola which he thought was Japan.
  • 1513

    Balboa discovers the Pacific Ocean in Panama

    Balboa discovers the Pacific Ocean in Panama
    Balboa wanted to be the first European to travel from the New World to the Pacific Ocean.
  • 1521

    Cortes conquers the Aztecs at Tenochtitlan

    Cortes conquers the Aztecs at Tenochtitlan
    Cortes had a successful conquer of the Aztecs because he kidnapped their leader which led to his victory.
  • 1539

    De Soto explores the regions between Florida and the Mississippi River

    De Soto explores the regions between Florida and the Mississippi River
    De Soto explored around their because he was looking for treasure, but it was a fruitless endeavor because he never found treasure.
  • First permanent English settlement is founded in Jamestown, Virginia.

    First permanent English settlement is founded  in Jamestown, Virginia.
    The Jamestown settlement was the first permanent settlement founded in Virginia by James Fort.
  • Mayflower Pilgrims found Plymouth colony in Massachusetts

    Mayflower Pilgrims found Plymouth colony in Massachusetts
    It was the first New England settlement founded in 1620. The name of their first town was named after their port of departure.
  • English settlers defeat Native Americans in King Phillips War

    English settlers defeat Native Americans in King Phillips War
    The Native Americans had a chance in numbers, but not against the modern day weapons of the English Settlers leading to the settlers winning the war.
  • France claims the Mississippi River Valley and names it Louisiana

    France claims the Mississippi River Valley and names it Louisiana
    France had a team of explorers looking around for new claims , and it led the explorers to to the Gulf of Mexico where they claimed it for their King and named it Louisiana.