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Columbus landed in the Caribbean. Which Europeans called the New World.
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Columbus just returned from his first voyage. The queen wanted to move quickly to secure Spain's claim to the Americas.
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At Tordesillas in 1494, Spain and Portugal divided the world for exploration.
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Hernan Cortes and his soldiers landed on the Gulf Coast of Mexico.
Their goal was to conquer the Aztec Empire. -
Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the globe, plundering spanish ships and towns.
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England passes the first of the navigation acts.
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Charles ll dies; his brother James becomes king of England.
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England goes to war against spain.
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After a reign of 72 years, King Louis XlV of France dies.
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The Treaty of Paris ends the seven years' war in Europe.