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Columbus reaches the West Indies becoming the first European in the New World. It opens the door for the Spainish settlement of the Caribbean and South America
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Growing tension between the Portuguese and Spanish over control of the New World required a settlement. Since both nations were Catholic, the pope intervened and passed the Treaty of Tordesillas. The Treaty divided the New World at the 370 degree meridan. Territory east of the line would belong to Portugal and west to Spain. This established a strong Spanish presence in North America.
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John Cabot explores North America for England. Cabot established English control of the current U.S. for England and enabled the establishment of Roanoak and Jamestown colonies giving England control of the East coast.
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The Spanish begin awarding land grants to soldiers and merchants in the New World. The encomienda system begins allowing the Spanish to seize Native lands and use the Native as slave labor.
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Hernando Cortes conquers the Aztecs of Mexico giving the Spanish control of the territory and access to gold and other materials increasing Spanish world power.
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Cartier discovers the St. Lawarence river in modern day Canada opening the door for French settlment of Montreal. The New World now contains all the major European powers.
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The Pueblo Indians of the southwest revolt against Spanish occupation. It is one of the largest and first revolts by natives against the Europeans.
