1469-1681

1469-1681

1. 1469 - Marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella

   • Their marriage united Castile and Aragon, which brought Spain into the exploration game because of the political unification it created. 
   • In 1492, their combined forces allow them to take Granada and intensify their exploration. 
   • 1484 - Bartholomeu Dias rounds southern tip of Africa
     • 15th century, Portugal is dominant maritime power.
     • 1492 Aug. 3 - Columbus' First Voyage 1492 Oct. 12 stops at present day Bahamas or Turks and Caicos
       • After arriving at the islands, Columbus writes a letter to Ferdinand telling him that the Natives their had no religion, no government, and lots of gold. This letter is bias though because Columbus wants funding for more trips so he tells the king what he wants to hear. 
       • 1493 Jan. 15 - Departs for Spain
         • 1497 - 1st English Contact with New World
           • It was a failed attempt at finding a Northwest Passage to Asia for silk.  Europe did not pursue discovery because they were poor.

2. 15th Century - European change in exploration

   • 1) They had a growing population because they were recovering from the plague. 2) They had a more united, powerful government.
   • Exploration brings rapid period of globalization of plants, animals, and germs. Native American population decreases because of small pox. Their deaths help with European conquest. 
   • 1584 - Raleigh gets charter from Queen Elizabeth I
     • His two goals are obtain New World's wealth and serve as base for raid on Spanish ships. 
     • 1585 - 1st Colony Established : disappear
       • In 1586, settlers leave and leave 107 men. Men were not their when settlers return in 1587. What happened to them? Theories are they were either killed or taken in by Native Americans.
       • 1587 - Roanoke Colony Established : ends badly
         • Colony has 90 men, 17 women, and 11 children.  While their a period known as the starving time took place which was just as it sounds.
         • 1588 - End of Spanish domination of Atlantic
           • 1590 - No more Roanoke Colony

3. 16th Century - Beginning of Mercantilism ideals in Europe

   • Political-economic world view that asserts that the strength of a government is tied to maintaining a positive balance of trade.
   • Early 16th Century - Europe is mainly focused on colonizing Ireland.
     • 1607 - Jamestown Colony
       • Later known as Virginia Company. Survived for 2 reasons 1) Local natives helped and gave them knowledge. 2) John Smith's leadership. They discover how profitable tobacco is which leads to conflicts with local tribes.
       • Reasons to Colonize Economic appeal 1) Stock in company who migrate over at own expense.  2) "Headright System" 3) Indentured Servitude Political appeal 1) Englishmen had full rights 2) Self-government
       • 1630 - Massachusetts Bay Colony
         • John Winthrop established this theocratic colony as a place for religious freedom but only for Puritan faith.  1st year 17 ships arrived.  Population explodes between 1640-1660. 
         • 1636 - Hartford (CT)
           • Thomas Hooker has disagreement over voting rights in Mass. Bay Colony so leads 100 men to establish Hartford.
           • 1636 - Providence (RI)
             • Roger Williams challenges Puritan teaches.  1) Nice to Native Americans 2) Non-violent 3) Split from England Banished so establishes Providence.
             • Anna Hutchinson also challenges Puritan teachings on salvation and faith and begins preaching.  Banished in 1638 and moves to Providence. 
             • 1637 - Pequot War
               • Bloody war that took place between the Colonies and Native Americans because of the colonies growing expansion. 
               • 1663 - The Carolinas
                 • Charted and hoped to attract people from other colonies, which doesn't work. Split in 1712 because of differences. 
                 • 1664 - New York/New Jersey
                   • Brothers Charles II and James set up colony where Dutch were already living. So they just threw them out.  Very diverse pop., small group of wealthy men and the rest poor. Also had no voting rights.
                   • 1675-1676 - King Phillip's War
                     • End of Native American threat.  Metacomet banned together many Native American tribes and killed 5% of New Englands pop. Native Americans loose but showed the importance of having better guns. 
                     • 1676 - "Bacon Rebellion"
                       • In VA people were growing angry because they could not expand West, their was a high number of poor whites and crime was increasing.  Nathaniel Bacon organized these angry men into an army but died day of. 
                       • 1681 - Pennsylvania
                         • Charter as a place for Quakers because they were disliked for being pacifists. Also founded on religious freedom and peaceful coexistence with natives. William Penn and great climate and soil allowed this colony to prosper. "Framework of Government" was their basic laws of the colony.