Setting the Scene for America

  • Leif Ericson
    Sep 5, 1001

    Leif Ericson

    Citation Leif Ericson was a viking from Iceland who found Greenland and led the first people to America. This brought many people to these countries.
  • Black Death
    Aug 31, 1347

    Black Death

    Citation The Black Death is an epidemic caused by fleas that occured during medieval time. It changed the wold because it killed a large percent of the population.
  • The Great Schism
    Aug 31, 1378

    The Great Schism

    Citation The Great Schism was a time of confusion where there was two to three popes at one time. It affected the world because it broke the Catholic church into two branches.
  • The Invention of the Printing Press
    Aug 31, 1439

    The Invention of the Printing Press

    Citation The printing press is a machine that printed many things, which changed the world by making books (including the Bible) more available to many people.
  • Spanish Inquisition
    Aug 31, 1487

    Spanish Inquisition

    Citation During the Spanish Inquisition the moncarchs of Spain restricted the rights of Jews. This changed the world because Spain was left without an active middle class; the Jews.
  • Spanish Christians Conquered the Muslim Moors
    Aug 31, 1492

    Spanish Christians Conquered the Muslim Moors

    Citation Spain was against the Protestant Reformation and decided to expell Jews and Moors from Spain to promote Catholocism. This changed Spain because the loss of builders and businessmen weakened them.
  • Christopher Columbus
    Oct 7, 1492

    Christopher Columbus

    Citation Christopher Columbus was a seeking a route from Europe to Asia, but he reached the Caribbean instead. He sailed for Spain and brought people to the Americas.
  • John Cabot
    Aug 31, 1497

    John Cabot

    Citation John Cabot sailed for the English and found the Northwest Passage. He also reached North America and claimed the land for England. This brought many people to North America.
  • Protestant Reformation
    Aug 31, 1517

    Protestant Reformation

    Citation This event took place because many people were unhappy with the Catholic Church, including Martin Luther. He wrote a 95 thesis statement and broke off from the church. Many people joined him to create what is now Lutheranism.
  • Hernando Cortez
    Aug 31, 1519

    Hernando Cortez

    Citation Cortez was a Spanish conquistador who defeated Moctezuma and conquered the Aztecs. This changed the world by bringing Spanish people and customs to the Aztecs.
  • Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe
    Aug 31, 1531

    Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe

    Citation Juan Diego was visited by the Virgin Mary who told him not to be afraid, and to build her a shrine. This changed the world by spreading Catholocism throughout the Aztecs.
  • Francisco Pizarro
    Aug 31, 1532

    Francisco Pizarro

    Citation Pizarro was a Spanish Conquistador who conquered the Incan Empire. This changed the world because now the people speak Spanish in Peru.
  • King Henry VIII and the Church of England
    Aug 31, 1534

    King Henry VIII and the Church of England

    Citation King Henry VII started and was declared Supreme Head of the Church of England. Many things were reformed while he was in charge.
  • The Council of Trent
    Aug 31, 1545

    The Council of Trent

    Citation The Catholic church demanded reforms and Pope Paul III gathered the Council of Trent. This changed the world by redefining the faith and improving the church.
  • Founding of Roanoke

    Founding of Roanoke

    Citation In this year, Roanoke was founded and by 1950 it had disappeared. This changed the world because it was an important center for trade, financial, industrial and transportation businesses that were all lost.
  • Founding of Jamestown

    Founding of Jamestown

    Citation Jamestown was the first permanent American colony. It was an important seaport that set up trade in the Americas. This changed the world because it is also where the first African Americans arrived, which changed the customs of America.
  • Henry Hudson

    Henry Hudson

    Citation Henry Hudson sailed for the Dutch and discovered a short trade route from Europe to Asia through the Arctic Ocean, which increased trade. He also found the Hudson River in present day New York.
  • King Louis XIV

    King Louis XIV

    Citation King Louis XIV became the king of France and ruled from Versailles Palace. This changed France because he ruled during one of their greatest periods and contributed to it.
  • Marquette and Joliet

    Marquette and Joliet

    Citation They were the first English colonists to explore the Mississippi River. It changed the world because this river then became a commonly used transportation and trade route. Also, they sailed for France.