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Oct 12, 1492
Columbus's First Voyage (Native American Event)
On October 12, 1492, Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas. This would mark a significant turning point for both the Native Americans and Europeans in history. Many Natives faced challenges with the Europeans ranging from language barriers to cultures. It also caused the introduction of new diseases to the Natives which would lead to the death of many. Many cultures were also impacted by assimilation from the Europeans. -
1493
Columbus's 2nd voyage (Native American Event)
In 1493, Columbus made his second voyage back to the Americas with a larger fleet and more people. This time his goal was to build colonies and obtain resources. The larger fleet caused the settlers to assimilate the indigenous people as slaves, and the devastation of diseases made this easier. Native communities were completely disrupted, and this changed their way of living, culture, and traditions. -
1493
The Songhai Empire (African Event)
The Songhai Empire expanded greatly in 1493 after Askia Muhammed became its emperor. While he was emperor, he led to the expansion off the empire through trade routes, military power, and religious effects. This event marked a time of wealth, culture, and an advancement of Islamic ideology throughout Africa. The effects from the empire led to a rise in Islamic beliefs in Africa, culture, and traditions, in which all of these still effect our modern world. -
1494
Treaty of Tordesillas (European Event)
In 1494, the Treaty of Tordesillas was signed between Portugal and Spain. The agreement separated newfound lands outside of Europe, it was intended to help settle disputes on who gets to control different pieces of land. The treaty would play a big role in exploration and colonization, and it also helped lead to the spread of Spanish and Portuguese cultures in the Americas. This would ultimately lead to the shaping of many new identities and how people interacted within the territories. -
1497
Vasco da Gama's Voyage (African Event)
In 1497, Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama traveled a voyage around the Cape of Good Hope along the African coast. This event sparked Portuguese exploration along Africa, leading to the founding of trading posts and colonization of parts of Africa. This increased European settlement which would lead to an impact on local economies and societies. Sadly, this would lead to the exploitation of slave trading, which led to the disruption of many African communities, hurting people's identities. -
1517
The Protestant Reformation (European Event)
The Protestant Reformation began in 1517 when Martin Luther faced the Catholic Church with his 95 Theses. It led to a rise of Protestant denominations, which would shift the focus from church power to individual faith and scripture. This movement greatly changed the religious identities and social and political advancements in Europe. It also greatly influenced the modern Western society and its effects on identity and cultures are still prevalent today. -
1519
The Spanish Conquest (Native American Event)
The Spanish conquest in 1519 involved taking over native empires like the Aztecs and Incas and many deaths from war and disease. It changed cultures significantly with the Spanish introducing their language and religion to the natives, leading to a mix of native and Spanish cultures. This blend of cultures created various identities for many people of Latin America that still exists today. This event would eventually end in 1533. -
1526
The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade (African Event)
The trans-Atlantic slave trade is thought to have officially begun in 1526, and it would devastate African societies for many centuries to come. Millions of Africans were forcefully taken and put into slavery for trading which would eventually lead to labor shortages and bad food production throughout many African societies. West Africa was hit the hardest, a and this event would negatively impact many African's identities and cultures, with effects like oppression and displacement. -
The Thirty Years' War (European Event)
The Thirty Years' War was a war between Catholics and Protestants in Europe from 1618 and 1648. It began primarily because of the differences and disagreements between the Catholics and Protestants. Many countries in Europe were involved and this led to a large amount of fighting and destruction, which caused ~8 million fatalities in total. This event help shape and change Europe's political landscape and influenced how different nations and communities interacted due to religious differences. -
The Pequot War (Native American Event)
The Pequot War that began in 1636 was a war between the Pequot people and English settlers that would end in 1637. The near annihilation of the Pequot tribe forced survivors to search for allies, or coexist with the settlers. It would lead to a permanent change of the politics and the landscape of southern New England. This led to many new identities among Native tribes and a negative impact on the indigenous people and their communities. -
The English Civil War (European Event)
The English Civil War began in 1642 and was a conflict between King Charles I and the Parliament. The main dispute was if the king should have more power or the elected representatives. The two groups were the Royalists (king fans) and the Roundheads (Parliament fans). The war ended in 1649 after the king's defeat and execution, leading to England shortly becoming a republic. The event changed how people viewed the government and it helped shape modern democracy due to its focus of power. -
Rise of the Oyo Empire (African Event)
The rise of the Oyo Empire took place in the late 17th century had a large impact on West Africa, and is now in Nigeria. The rise was caused by an expansion of political power, military, and trade. This expansion led to an influence on the culture within the region, and the interactions with the surrounding areas also formed identities of various ethnic groups. This event marked an important time in African history and affects the lives and cultures of many people. -
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The Asante Empire (African Event)
The Asante Empire, in what's now Ghana, grew to power through trade and military strength. They were known for gold and rich culture, like art and traditions. However, around the late 1800s they began to face conflict with British colonial forces. After many years of conflict the British were successful and led to the Asante Empire's decline. This event heavily affected their culture and identity, but many of the traditions and cultures are still prevalent in Ghana today. -
The Pontiac's Rebellion (Native American Event)
The Pontiac's Rebellion (1763-1765) was a conflict between the British Empire and indigenous tribes in the Great Lakes and Ohio River Valley. The resistance from the Native Americas caused a halt in the expansion off British settlers across America. Though the resistance showed the Native's could unite and defend, the conflict sadly led to more violence and worsened tensions between the two groups. This conflict marked a change of total and unstoppable British colonization to Native uprising. -
French Revolution (European Event)
The French Revolution was a conflict between revolutionaries and the current monarch that began in 1789. The revolutionists fought for rights such as liberty and equality, and went against the old ways of ruling. This event helped spread the ideas of democracy and nationalism, and helped shape how people viewed the government and society in Europe. It was a very important event that would influence the viewpoints of many and have everlasting effects on the world.