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Aug 3, 1492
Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue
In 1492, Columbus sailed west across the Atlantic from Spain. He was searching for an alternate route to Asia, but instead arrived on an island in the Caribbean (San Salvador). This resulted in the beginning of Spanish efforts to transform Caribbean islands into colonies. -
Jan 1, 1511
First enslaved Africans arrive in the Americas
Europeans in North American began using African slaves for labor on sugar plantations and tobacco farms. This sparked the beginning of the Atlantic slave trade. The greatest impact of the slave trade was the loss of African culture. -
Jan 1, 1521
Hernando Cortés conquers the Aztec Empire
Cortés was lured by Aztecs' supply of gold. His conquest of Aztecs was possible because of superior weaponry and the help of various native groups. With a native translator named Malinche, he convinced natives to fight against the Aztecs with him. -
Jan 1, 1533
Francisco Pizarro conquers the Incan empire
Pizarro and his army ambused and kidnapped the Incan ruler Atahualpa. Even after receiving the ransom of gold and silver, he and his men killed the king. He then easily captured the capital of Cuzco and the demoralized Incas in 1533. -
English found Jamestown
With a charter from King James to found a colony, a company of London investors and settlers reach the coast of Virginia in 1607. The settlement was named Jamestown in honor of the king. Jamestown became the first permanent English settlement in North America. -
English found Plymouth
In Massachusetts of 1620, a group of people known as the Pilgrims founded the second English colony named Plymouth. The Pilgrims were persecuted in England for their religious beliefs, and established a colony in search of religious freedom. -
French and Indian War ends
The war started over land claims in 1754. As a result of the war, the British seized control of Eastern half of North America. On the other hand, the French was only left was Haiti, which was later taken over by slaves.