From Exploration to Independence

  • Period: 1800 BCE to 800

    The Maya

    The Maya was a grand empire who built grand buildings like magnificent pyramids and gigantic cities. Their culture still lives today.
  • Period: 1200 BCE to 600 BCE

    The Olmecs

    The Olmecs were one of the first ancient Meso-American civilization. They were quite advanced and had intricate artwork like giant stone heads.
  • 1095

    Pope Urban calls for Crusades in the Holy Land

    Pope Urban calls for Crusades in the Holy Land
  • 1200

    Europe is a Farming Economy

    Europe is a Farming Economy
  • Period: 1200 to 1521

    The Aztecs

    The Aztecs was a very advanced civilization who had extravagant artwork like feather headdresses, grand temples like the Templo Mayor, and innovative technologies like chinampas.
  • 1271

    Marco Polo travels to the East

    Marco Polo travels to the East
  • 1289

    The Crusades End

    The Crusades End
  • 1293

    The Polo's journey Home

    The Polo's journey Home
  • 1298

    Marco Polo is imprisoned and writes his book

    Marco Polo is imprisoned and writes his book
  • Period: 1300 to

    The Renaissance Begins

    Europeans opened up their way of thinking and this started the beginning of the Renaissance.
  • Period: 1400 to 1532

    The Inca

    The Inca had a vast empire in South America, a complex government, and many great achievements like a 15,000 miles of criss-crossed roadways.
  • 1415

    The Beginning of Portugal's Dream of Controlling the Global Market of Gold

    The Beginning of Portugal's Dream of Controlling the Global Market of Gold
    Portugal captured a the Fortress of Ceuta in Africa and that sparked their dream of controlling the global market of gold.
  • 1419

    The Madeira Islands are Discovered

    The Madeira Islands are Discovered
    Due to Prince Henry's funding of many scientist Portugal discovers the Madeira Islands in 1419.
  • 1427

    Portugal Discovers the Azores Islands

    Portugal Discovers the Azores Islands
    This discovery and many others encouraged Prince Henry and his explorers to go farther south on the cost of Africa.
  • 1434

    The Cape of Good Hope has Been Crossed

    The Cape of Good Hope has Been Crossed
    In 1434 the Cape of Good Hope was crossed. This encouraged the Portuguese to go farther than ever before.
  • 1440

    The Printing Press is Invented

    The Printing Press is Invented
    In 1440 Johann Gutenberg invented the printing press.
  • 1469

    Spain is United

    Spain is United
    In 1469 Spain became unified as Catholic Spain. Since this happened, they were now competing for global power.
  • 1488

    The Tip of Africa is Passed

    The Tip of Africa is Passed
    In 1488 Bartholomew Dias passed the Cape of Good Hope. He could have gone farther, but his crew mutinied and he had to turn back.
  • Oct 12, 1492

    Columbus makes Landfall

    Columbus makes Landfall
    On October 12, 1492 Christopher Columbus made landfall on an island he named Hispaniola. He believed he made landfall in the East Indies, but he really landed in present day Haiti and Dominican Republic.
  • 1519

    Cortes invade the Aztec

    Cortes invade the Aztec
    A Spanish conquistador named Hernan Cortes invade the Aztec empire in 1519. He gathers native allies, translators, and knowledge from the new empire.
  • 1529

    Pizarro Invades the Inca

    Pizarro Invades the Inca
    Pizarro invades the Inca civilizations with a small Spanish army. He used techniques that he learned from Cortes like making allies with native enemies of the Inca, destroying the capitol, and capturing the leader and making them a puppet leader.
  • 1532

    The Inca fall under Pizarro

    The Inca fall under Pizarro
    In the year of 1532 the Inca civilization finally crumbles after a long war against Pizarro, a Spanish conquistador.
  • Thomas Hobbes writes The Leviathan

    Thomas Hobbes writes The Leviathan
    Hobbes is a philosopher who wrote a book about how he thinks. He believes that man are irresponsible to make their own choices. He thinks that they should be ruled by a government.
  • John Locke writes The Second Treatise on Government

    John Locke writes The Second Treatise on Government
    John Locke is a philosopher who put his opinion on what he thinks of man and the government in a book. He believes that man can rule themselves without a leader. He thinks that men can use reason and their mind to do the right thing. He believes that if they can all follow god the will live in harmony.
  • The United States declares its Independence

    The United States declares its Independence
    One of the most famous date in America is July 4, 1776, the day we declared our independence from Britain. The colonist in America revolted against the British rule and prevailed against the talented army.
  • France writes the Declaration of the Rights of Man

    France writes the Declaration of the Rights of Man
    France revolted against their King and Queen in order to better their country. The write a Declaration of the Rights of Man that is modeled similarly like the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
  • Haiti gains independence

    Haiti gains independence
    After many battles against the French, Haiti is finally independent. They have abolished slavery and people there are now looking for new ways to live and survive.
  • Bolivar begins Venezuela's fight for independence

    Bolivar begins Venezuela's fight for independence
    Bolivar begins fighting for Venezuela's independence from the Spanish throne. He and the people of Venezuela want to gain more rights and be treated equally.
  • Gran Columbia gains its independence

    Gran Columbia gains its independence
    Led by Simon Bolivar, the countries of Gran Columbia gain their independence after many years of battling the Spanish. With Bolivar, as their dictator the countries are holding together, but not by much. The landscape makes it hard for these countries to unite.
  • Jose de San Martin frees Peru

    Jose de San Martin frees Peru
    In 1821, a Criollo from Argentina named Jose de San Martin, frees Peru from Spanish control. Jose de San Martin used his expertise and his military tactics to liberate this country.
  • Mexico gains its independence

    Mexico gains its independence
    After many other revolutions Mexico decides that it wants to be independent form Spain too. Even though it took 11 years to do so, it was worth it for the Mexicans. They were free.