Atlantic World Discovery of the New World

Columbus

Oct 4, 1492

Instead of sailing south around Africa and then east, Columbus sailed west across the Atlantic in search of an alternate trade route to Asia and its riches. Instead of finding Asia, he found the Caribbean and the Americas, as a New World.

Enslaved Africans Arrived in Americas

Oct 4, 1511

Since millions of Native Americans died from European dieases, Europeans in Brazil, the Caribbean, and the southern colonies of North America soon turned to Africa workers.

Cortés conquers Aztec Empire

Oct 4, 1521

Cortes reaches Mexico and meets the Aztecs, who think he is a God and agree to give him all the gold he desires. He is unsatisfied and some of his men kill some of the Aztecs during a religious ceremony. Asa result, a rebellion started against the Europeans , but with the help of other close native tribes, Cortez conquered the Aztecs.

Pizarro conquers Incan Empire

Oct 5, 1533

Pizzaro was on a voyage of conquest, and met the Incan people led by Atahualpa. In order to win the conquest, Pizzaro and his men captured Atahualpa and killed him, even though he filled one room with gold, and two rooms with silver. The death of Atahualpa made it easier for Pizzaro to conquer the Incas.

English found Jamestown

Oct 5, 1607

In late 1606, more than 100 settlers and three ships left the English port. 4 months later they reached the coast of Virginia and claimed the land as theirs. They named the settlement Jamestown in honor of their King.

English found Plymouth

Oct 5, 1620

A group persecuted for their religious beliefs named pilgrims sought religious freedom in the New World. So, in 1620 they foundeed a second English colony, Plymouth, in Massachusetts.

French and Indian War ends

Oct 5, 1763

British colonists, with the help of the British army, defeated the French in 1763. The French surrendered their North American land. As a result of the war, the British seized control of the eastern half of North America.