The Incidents of Contact between Europeans and Aboriginal Peoples in North America 1475-1650

The Incidents of Contact between Europeans and Aboriginal Peoples in North America

Period: Jan 1, 1475 to Jan 1, 1650

Christopher Columbus

Oct 12, 1492

Thee voyages opened the door to European exploration, colonization and exploitation of the New World. The English began active colonization but the Spanish had already explored large portions of North/South America. The Spanish explorers encountered three major civilizations in the New World: the Incas, the Mayans and Aztecs. Spanish conquest in the New World was driven by gold, glory, and gospel. Source: http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h436.html

John Cabot

Jun 24, 1497

Cabot's ship sailed northwest, poked about part of the Atlantic region and possibly also Cape Breton and made a landfall on what he called New Found Land. Source: Miller, J.R. (2001). Skyscrapers Hide the Heavens. A History of Indian-White Relations in Canada. University of Toronto Press.

French Missionaries

Mar 1, 1524

The French come to the New World which started with Giovanni da Verranzano and continued with several others. Verrazzano encountered Indians in the Carolina's. They were searching for new riches such as liquor, gold and Asia. Source:http://www.mce.k12tn.net/explorers/frenchexplorers.htm

Basque Whalers

Jun 27, 1530

Between 1530 and 1600, Basque whalers from France and Spain launched at least 15 whaling ships and 600 men a season, capturing whales migrating the Strait of Belle Isle waters between the island of Newfoundland and the Labrador coast. Red Bay first came to the attention of the Basque in the 1520s, when they were fishing the waters nearby for cod. However, attention soon shifted to whales that migrated through the straits. Source: http://www.heritage.nf.ca/exploration/basque.html

Jacques Cartier

May 10, 1534

French navigator was cruising the coast and encountered Algonkians (Mi'kmaq Indians) in the area of the Bay of Chaleur. He followed with two more voyages to the New World up until 1542. The four motives were fish, furs, exploration and evangelization. However, alot of conflicts and feud were building up which led to war for land. Source: Miller, J.R. (2001). Skyscrapers Hide the Heavens. A History of Indian-White Relations in Canada. University of Toronto Press.

Jamestown

May 24, 1607

Became the first permanent English settlement in North America under Captain John Smith. As he arrived, he encountered the Powhatan tribal people in Virginia. Source:http://www.enchantedlearning.com/explorers/page/s/smith.shtml

West-Country English Fishers

May 17, 1615

Between 1615 and 1640, 70% of the English vessels that sailed to fish at Newfoundland came from the West Country, a region which had the location, the capital, and the men to assume the leadership in the British fishery at Newfoundland. Source: http://www.heritage.nf.ca/exploration/17fishery.html

Dutch Traders

May 4, 1623

Up to 1623 only trading-settlements existed and in that year the actual colonization of the country took place. Indians that were here were the Algonkians and tribes included the MoHawks and the Mahicans. Source:http://www.publicbookshelf.com/public_html/The_Great_Republic_By_the_Master_Historians_Vol_I/dutchcolo_db.html