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Jan 1, 1492
Columbus sails the ocean blue.
Colombus sailed with 3 ships west across the Atlantic, instead of sailing around the southern tip of Africa, to find a different route for Spain to Asia. -
Jan 1, 1511
First enslaved Africans arrive in the Americas
At first Europeans were going to use Native Americans for labor, but many died from disease, so they turned to Africans. They got these African slaves by trading other Africans goods. -
Jan 1, 1521
Cortes conquers Aztec Empire
Cortes got a translator to tell native groups, that hated the Aztecs, to fight with him. The Spanish won because of better weapons, disease, and the natives. -
Jan 1, 1533
Pizarro conquers Incan Empire
Pizzarro asked to meet Incan ruler Atahualpa, Atahualpa brought several thousand unarmed men with him, Pizzarro brought 200 armed men and attacked by surprise. -
English found Jamestown
A group of London investors, told by king James to find a colony in North America, reached the coast of Virginia, and name the settlement after their king. -
English found Plymouth
An English group that was harrassed because of their religious beliefs in England, known as the Pilgrims, wanted religious freedom so, they left and settled in Plymouth, Ma. -
French and Indian War ends
The British and French were fighting over the Ohio valley, the English later won.
