Discovery of the New World

Christopher Columbus

Jan 1, 1492

Columbus, who was working for the Spanish, tried to find a different trade route going west accross the Atlantic Ocean. Intead of landing in Asia he landed in the Caribbean.

First Enslaved Africans Arrive in the Americas

Jan 1, 1511

Bartolome de Las Casas told many people " The labor of one African is more valuable thant that of four Indians". Many people agreed even though he told people later that it wasn't actually a good idea.

Hernando Cortés Conquers the Aztecs

Jan 1, 1521

Cortés travelled to the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, supplied themselves with gold. Eventually, the Aztecs rebelled against Cortés, but Cortés and his army still faught back and finally took over the Aztec empire.

Francisco Pizarro Conquers Incan Empire

Jan 1, 1533

Francisco Pizarro came to the city of Cajamarca and met the Incan ruler, Atahualpa. During the meeting the Spaniards attacked the people and kidnapped Atahualpa. Eventually they got their ransom, but instead of releasing him they killed Atahualpa.

English found Jamestown

Jan 1, 1607

100 settlers landed on the coast of Virginia to start a new settlement called Jamestown, named after King James. After a while many people died from disease, hunger, and fighting with the Native Americans. Eventually they were able to actually settle and found a money making cash crop, tabacco.

English found Plymouth

Jan 1, 1620

The Pilgrims left England because they were frowned upon for their specific religion. They settle in Massachusetts and called it Plymouth.

French and Indian War Ends

Jan 1, 1763

The French and Indian war started when the British wanted to gain more land for their settlements. They bumped into France and ended up having a seven year war against them. Eventually in 1763 the British defeated France and gained more land.