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Jan 1, 1440
Johannes Gutenberg
In the mid 15th century, Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press. It was a huge invention that allowed explorers and scientists to publish their findings, which helped immensely with the spread of new knowledge during the time. -
Jan 1, 1492
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus and his fleet of 3 ships set off to explore the New World, which begins the European colonization of North America. -
Sep 7, 1492
End of Reconquista
After the fall of the last Islamic state on the Iberian Peninsula, Granada, the reconquista was over. -
Jan 1, 1494
Treaty of Tordesillas
The treay\ty, signed in 1494, divided all of the new land discovered between Spain and Portugal. The lands to the east of the line belonged to Portugal and the west to Spain. -
Jan 1, 1494
Sebastian Cabot
Sebastian Cabot was an Italian Explorer. There is alot of controversy over where he landed in America, but most say it was in the Canadian area. -
Jan 1, 1497
John Cabot
Cabot sailed for King Henry VIII in 1497. He landed in Canada, around Newfoundland, and claimed the land for England. He had a second expedition in 1498, but his whereabouts were never confirmed. His expeditions started England's claiming of American soil. -
Sep 7, 1500
Slave Trade in the New World
Slave trade in the New World began in the 16th century with Portugal. Many countries began soon after. Slaves were taken from their homes in Africa and unwillingly brought to the new world where they were forced to perform labor for the Europeans. -
Jan 1, 1503
Encomienda System
The legal system used by the Spanish during the colonization of the Americas was called the encomienda system. The system kept Native Americans in check by forcing them to work for the Spanish. -
Jan 1, 1534
Protestant Reformation- Henry VIII
Henry VIII establishes the Church of England. He did this because he wanted to divorce his wife who wasn't bearing him any sons, but the Pope refused. This new church allowed him to divorce her and keep trying to bear a son to pass the crown on to. -
Sep 7, 1534
Quebec
The French colony of Quebec was founded in 1534. Jacques Cartier sailed to the area under the orders of King Francis I. The colony was officially named New France in 1541. -
Jan 1, 1559
Protestant Reformation- Elizabeth I
In 1559, Queen Elizabeth I created a church that was strictly catholic. She was extremely loyal to the Catholic faith, and hundreds of preotestants were executed. -
Jan 1, 1582
Richard Haklyat
Richard Haklyat was a famous geographer known for his writings that promoted exploration of the New World. His major publication, The principall Navigations, Voiages and Discoveries of the English nation, provides almost everything known about the early English voyages to North America. (Encyclopedia Brittanica) -
Roanoke
The queen of England ordered 115 colonists to establish a colony in the Chesepeake Bay area in 1587. This colony became known as Roanoke. -
Spanish Armanda
The Spanish Armanda cut communication between Europe and America (Roanoke). When they could return to America, the English found Roanoke deserted. -
Founding of Jamestown
In 1606, a boat carried 104 men and boys from England to Virginia. They began building the town as instructed. The colony was founded on a joint stock venture. The colony began to fall into ruins, but it was saved by John Smith. In 1618, the House of Burgesses was created by Edwin Sandys. He thought he could make the colony more attractive to prespective investors. -
Plymouth
Plymouth was founded by the Puritans in order to gain religious freedom. They came over on a boat with Pilgrims, and together they created the Mayflower Compact. The creation of this document created order within the colony so there would be no anarchy. -
New York
Founded by Peter Minuit. Wanted to establish trade and make profits. Originally set up as a Dutch colony but was taken over by the English. -
New Hampshire
Founded by John Mason. Founded as an escape for those constricted by religious and economic concerns. -
The founding of Maryland
Sir George Calvert created Maryland as a troubled refuge for Catholics. He also created the colony to make money. Lord Baltimore had authority over all 6 million acres of the land and all the people. The colony actually drew both Catholics and Protestants, but when Civil War broke out in England it affected the colony too. In 1649, he created the Act Concerning Religion, which stated that everyone who accepted christ was to be tolerated. Eventually Puritans seized the government. -
Rhode Island
Rhode Island was a middle colony, and it was founded for religious freedom. It was one of the most tolerant american colony. -
Conneticut
Founded by Thomas Hooker. Wanted ecnomonic and religious freedom. -
North Carolina
Created by a group of proprietors. Created for trade and profits. -
South Carolina
Also founded by a group of proprietors, looking for trade and profit. -
Bacon's Rebellion
A revolt led by Nathaniel Bacon against the Governer. He wanted to gain wealth. His revolt was unsuccessful. -
Pennsylvania
Created by William Penn. Was a quaker colony, and was tolerant of all religions. Originally for quakers, but came home to immigrants of all kind. -
Parliamentary Supremacy
Britain tried to convince the colonists to submit to Parliaments ultimate power over them. The Colonists were not easily persuaded, and this was one of the things that led to war. -
Great Awakening
Religious revival that ocurred in the American colonies in the late 18th century. -
Sugar Act
This act put a high tax on sugar and molasses. The colonists ignored the act, however. It also forced the Americans to trade exclusively with Britain. They wanted the colonies to make revenue to pay off the debt of the Seven Years War. -
Georgia
Founded by James Oglethorpe. It was a debtor colony, so all of the people with debt could escape jail. -
Stamp Act
The stamp act required all of the colonists to buy stamps or seals to put on all of their legal documents. It caused a mass political movement. -
Quartering Acts
The quartering acts required all of the colonists to house British soldiers and accomodate to their needs. The soldiers were often rude and ungrateful. This caused tensions between Britain and the Colonies, and it eventually led to the revolutionary war. -
Stamp Act Congress
They met and discussed common problems, but they never mentioned disloyalty to the crown. The common folk protested on the streets. -
Declatory Acts
The declatory act did two things. It repealed the stamp act, because the boycotts were hurting British trade. It also declared parliaments power over the colonies. Some colonists were happy because the stamp acts were gone, but others were wary because they felt like more acts were on the way. -
Townshend Revenue Acts
The acts added taxes on glass, paint, oil, lead, and tea. Britain needed to make 40,000 Euros a year off of the colonists to pay off debts. The colonists were angry with the taxes, as they were with all of the ones imposed on them during this tense time. -
Boston Massacre
Angered colonists threw rocks and snoballs at redcoats, they opened fire on the colonists and 5 were killed. This was another key event that led to the revolution. -
Tea Act
Parliament gave the East India Company rights to sell directly to the colonists. The colonists were outraged and protested against favoritism. This was also the event that caused the Boston Tea Party, an event where colonists dressed up and threw huge amounts of tea into the Boston Harbor. -
Boston Tea Party
Angry colonists dressed as indians threw tons of tea into the Boston Harbor. This event was known as the Boston Tea Party. The British were outraged, and in return passed the coercive acts. -
Intolerable Acts
At this point Britain was mad. They closed Boston Harbor. Also, the Massachusetts government was restructured, town meeting were restricted. Plus, British troops were required to be quartered by the colonists. -
First Continental Congress
50 delegates from 12 colonies met and discussed declaring independence. They agreed to boycott british goods and it was the first step to independence. -
Prohibatory Act
This was the British's attempt to coerce Americans into submitting to an embargo on American goods. The colonists were not going to do it, so they had to make a decision. After discussion, the continental congress decided to declare independence. -
Olive Branch Petition
Affirmed American loyalty to the crown. It was the colonists last attempt at avoiding war, but it didnt work. -
Shot Heard Around the World
Militia of Lexington and British soldiers met, not intending to fight. However, someone accidentally fired a shot and a battle began. It was the start of the revolution. -
Second Continental Congress
They took control of the war efforts, and approved George Washington as commander of the army. It helped control the war effort, so there was more order and authority. -
Common Sense
It was an essay by Thomas Paine that justifyed declaring independence.It conviced people to join the war effort. -
Beginning of Reconquista
The Reconquista began in 718 and continued into the 15th century. It was a long process where the Christians drove the Muslims out of the Iberian Peninsula.
