Exploration and Settlement

Columbus lands at Hispaniola in the Caribbean

1492

Columbus sighted Cuba, and thought is was the mainland of china, and later his expedition led him to Hispaniola which he thought was Japan.

Balboa discovers the Pacific Ocean in Panama

1513

Balboa wanted to be the first European to travel from the New World to the Pacific Ocean.

Cortes conquers the Aztecs at Tenochtitlan

1521

Cortes had a successful conquer of the Aztecs because he kidnapped their leader which led to his victory.

De Soto explores the regions between Florida and the Mississippi River

1539

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.

1607

The Jamestown settlement was the first permanent settlement founded in Virginia by James Fort.

Mayflower Pilgrims found Plymouth colony in Massachusetts

1620

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

1676

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

1682

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.