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Oct 1, 1492
Christopher Columbus first arrives in the Caribbean
Sailed on behalf of the Spanish; he began European colonization of the New World. -
Oct 1, 1500
The Renaissance
This time of intellectual and artistic advancement in Europe was a critical contributer to the motivation to explore the Americas. -
Oct 1, 1513
Ponce De Leon lands in Florida
The Spanish also have a colony on North America -
Oct 1, 1516
Smallpox is introduced to the New World
Europeans introduced smallpox to the Indians, which killed millions of them and devastated the native population. -
Oct 1, 1517
Martin Luther breaks with the Catholic Church
Began the Protestant Reformation; many people converted to Luther's teachings, and the persecution they faced as a result of doing so served as motivation to emmigrate. -
Oct 1, 1535
First Africans slaves are brought to Virginia
African slavery is introduced to the North American colonies -
Oct 1, 1550
Tobacco is introduced to Europe
High demand for tobacco in Europe made tobacco production in the Americas an important source of revenue. -
English found Jamestown
First successful English settlement in the New World. -
French found Quebec
First French settlement in the New World. -
Pilgrim Emmigration
People emmigrated from England to the New World seeking religious freedom; started settlements throughout North America. -
Puritans begin settlement of Massachusetts Bay
Puritans seperated from the English church; the represssion they faced lead to the migration of lousands of English Protestants to New England. -
King Philip's War
Conflict arises between the Indians and the English over land. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Signaled a developing conflicting between the backcountry settlers and the more established coastal region. -
William Penn begins recruiting settlers
Pennsylvania is founded; safe haven for all Europeans seeking religious freedom. -
Glorious Revolution
Colonists in Massachusetts, New York and Maryland rise up against the colonial governments of King James II -
King William's War
Both France and England wanted control of colonies in North America; caused conflict within the colonies. -
Toleration Act
Ordered a stop to persecution in Massachusetts by the Puritans -
Enlightenment
Intellectual movement that stressed the importance of reason and natural laws; challenged the unfathomable mysteries of God -
English impose royal gov'ts on all colonies
England controlled the colonies, which lead to problems in the future with colonists wanting to govern themselves. -
Great Awakening
Religious revival in the colonies
