U.S. History 1490-1870

  • 1492

    Columbus discovers America

    Sails across the Atlantic ocean.
  • 1497

    John Cabot claims Newfound land.

    He claims it for England and begins fishing the great banks.
    Fact: This actually leads to contact with coastal tribes.
  • 1515

    Fur Trade

    Fur trade becomes a huge economy in north America.
    Fact: The trade started with just beaver but then is extended into muskrats, raccoons, fox, deer, and even buffalo at one point.
  • 1539

    Landing In Flordia

    Hernando de Soto lands in Florida to begin exploring America.
    Fact: He had to take 9 boats and 620 men.
  • 1540

    7 cities of Cibola

    Francisco Vasquez de Coronado searches for the seven cities of Cibola but only finds Indian groups and isn't rather friendly.
    Fact: Cibola is legend about temples made of gold.
  • 1565

    Military Base

    Pedro Menedez de Aviles founds st. Augustine Florida.
    Fact: It is the first permanent settlement in the U.S. and serves as a outpost for Catholic Missionary settlements.
  • The Orginal Colonies

    The orginal 13 colonies were founded. They were Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island.
    Fact: England didn't try to settle in the colonies until 80 years later.
  • Small Pox

    The small pox epidemic spreads throughout America.
    Fact: 90% of Native Americans were wiped out on Massachusetts bay.
  • House of Brugesses

    The House of Brugesses in Virginia was the first representative body of America.
    Fact: 22 representatives hosted their meeting in a church.
  • Explorations of Marguette

    Jacques Marquete and Louis Joliet are known for making the discovering and map of the Mississippi River.
    Fact: Jacques spent his early life in the Society of Jesus and a Jesuit missionary.
  • Salem Witch Trials

    In Massachusetts people were being accused of being witches or preforming witch craft and were put on trial for their lives.
    Fact: 150 people, including children, were accused of witchcraft.
  • Lighting Rod

    Benjamin Franklin invented the lighting rod. Later that year he also made the discovery with the key and the kite.
    Fact: When he discovered electricity with the key William, his 21 year old son, was the only witness of the scene.
  • French and Indian War Starts

    At first the French were winning then the table turned when tons of money was put into the military force.
    Fact: 22,300 people were wounded or captured.
  • The Declaration of Independence

    The Declaration of Independence was signed July 4,1776 by the second continental congress meeting.
    Fact: There are 56 signatures at the bottom.
  • Whiskey Rebellion

    The Whiskey Rebellion was a tax protest because farmers were getting taxed on the items they sold.
    Fact: Before the rebellion whiskey was used for trading.
  • Louisiana Purchase

    America bought the Louisiana territory from France and expanded westward.
    Fact: The land sold for 3 cents an acre or 15 million dollars.