Unit 2

Bering Isthmus

35,000 BCE

35,000 years ago, the sea level dropped causing an isthmus to be formed between Asia and North America. It is called the Bering Isthmus. People came from Asia and crossed the isthmus in order to get to America. This is important because it led to the migration of the first people to populate America.

Columbian Exchange

1492

After Columbus' arrival, the New World changed a lot. The Columbian exchange happened which was about European men coming to the New World. This led to intermixing of cultures, trade and interracial relationships. Also, this led to many natives dying because of the diseases the Europeans brought; unlike the Europeans, the natives were not immune to these.

Columbus Expedition

1492

Christopher Columbus, from Spain, arrived to the Americas in 1492. He was trying to find new routes to Asia, but instead he came across the New World. This is significant because it was the reason behind colonization, and it led to people from different sides of the world to connect and interact (even if it wasn't done in the best way).

Conquistadores

1500

When the Spanish Conquistadores came from Spain to the Americas, they explored and colonized the new lands. They wanted to be the superior power in Europe. Their motives consisted in search for money, power, and to spread their religion. This is important because it led to the genocide of the natives as well as the intermixing of new cultures.

Elizabeth's influence

1580

Elizabeth I was the queen of England from 1558 to 1603. During the 1580's she encouraged the English people to compete with the Spanish. After Spain's defeat in the Spanish Armada, Spain's power weakened causing England to gain more power over North America.

Jamestown Seedling

1607

The Virginia Company of London, got permission from King James I of England to create a settlement in the New World. It was done in Jamestown on May 24, 1607. This is important because it led to the "starving winter" later on causing many English people to die.