European Nations Settle in America

An epidemic of smallpox brought by Europeans

1520

This epidemic killed many Native Americans on the New England coast.

Verrazzano, sailing for France, discovers New York Harbor

1524

His expedition was aimed to find a passage to the west from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.

Frenchmen Jacques Cartier navigate the St. Lawrence River

1534

Cartier names an Island along the River Montreal.

Jamestown was founded on the coast of Virginia by 100 English settlers.

1607

The settlement became the first permanent English settlement in North America

French explorer, Samuel de Champlain, founded the colony of Quebec

1608

Champlain created the first accurate coastal map during his explorations and founded various colonial settlements

Henry Hudson, exploring for the Netherlands

1609

Hudson claims land that will become New Netherland and is now known as the state of New York

Pilgrims from England found an English Colony in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

1620

The pilgrims were English settlers who traveled to America on the Mayflower and established the Plymouth Colony in Plymouth, Massachusetts

The Duke of York drives out the Dutch in New Netherland.

1664

The Duke of York claimed the colony for England and renamed it New York.

King Philip's War begins

1675

The war started in colonial villages of Massachusetts, between Colonists and Native Americans.

Sieur de la Salle explores the lower Mississippi Valley river.

1682

Salle claims the Valley for France and names it Louisiana in honor of the French King Louis XIV.

War between the British and French, known as the French & Indian War.

1754

The war is fought over disputed land claims in the Ohio River Valley.