US History timeline & concept chart: 10th-16th centuries pre-colonial Native Americans to early North American colonization (Spanish, French, Dutch)

US History timeline & concept chart: early North American colonization

See also: US History timeline & concept chart: early North American colonization AP United States History

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section & table structure:

section heading

Title

PERIOD / TIMELINE

Major Events, Concepts & Themes

Notes & connections: details of issues, concepts, themes & events BIG IDEAS DETAILS

Pre-Columbian indigenous peoples overview

Pre-Columbian indigenous peoples overview

PERIOD / TIMELINE Pre-Columbian: before 1492

Major Events, Concepts & Themes Native American linguistic and cultural areas Tribal alliances Mississippi culture architecture: Pueblo adobe houses Iroquois "longhouses" Mound builders land use farming hunting communal ownership

Notes & connections: details of issues, concepts, themes & events Native North American linguistic areas Pre-contact: distribution of North American language families, including northern Mexico (wikipedia) Northeast Algonquian Iroquoian Southeast and Gulf region Southeastern woodlands Midwest Plains Linguistic Ara Pueblo Western Northern California Northwest Coast Pacific Northwest Plateau sources Linguistic areas of the Americas (wikipedia)

Age of Exploration and Columbian Exchange

Age of Exploration and Columbus Exchange

PERIOD / TIMELINE 1492 Columbus lands in Americas

Major Events, Concepts & Themes BACKGROUND: Collapse of Byzantium, 1453 (Christian) to Ottomans (Muslim) Italian merchants cut off from previous trade networks Christian conquest of Spain and Spanish Inquisition European motives: trade, religion, political competition primary motive = direct access to South and East Asian markets

Notes & connections: details of issues, concepts, themes & events BIG IDEAS European motives in trade and religion Columbian Exchange impacts DETAILS * Christopher Columbus was convinced he could reach China and India via a westward trajectory across the Atlantic Ocean Spain finally agreed to sponsor Columbus only after the Portuguese discovered a viable route to India circumnavigating Africa The Portuguese figured out the Atlantic rout after developing the “volta da mar”, a circular route following winds and currents to and from Portugal that led Portuguese boats further west, leading to their discoveries of the Canary Islands, the Azores, and, eventually, Brazil. For this reason, Brazil became a Portuguese colony and today Portuguese is the national language Spanish discovery of the Americas was ultimately realized by America Vespucci for whom the “Americas” is named, a Florentine explorer who recognized that Columbus had not reached the islands east of India and China (the “the Indies”) and had instead discovered a new continent (thus “West Indies” for Caribbean islands and the term “Indian” for the indigenous peoples of the Americas). Soon after news of Columbus’ expeditions the British organized an exploration headed by John Cabot (a Venetian, Italy, navigator) who in 1497 became the first European to explore the North American coast It is possible that Columbus had, prior to his 1492 expedition, visited Iceland, Greenland or, possibly, Canada in 1477, as he is thought to have visited Bristol, England, which maintained trade with Iceland. Cabot sailed from Bristol, so he used the knowledge of Bristol mariners for his attempt to by-pass the Americas and find a western route to Asia Cabot’s explorations laid the basis for subsequent British and French competition for control of modern Canada, especially Newfoundland, Quebec and the Great Lakes regions. In 1523, the Florentine (Italy) navigator, Giovanni de Verrazzano led an expedition on behalf of France to find a westward Atlantic route to India. Verrazzano explored the North American coast from the Carolines to modern-day New York. The “Verrazzano Bridge” in New York City is named in his honor. In 1534, Jacques Cartier led the first French expedition to the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the St. Lawrence River. Subsequent French expeditions further explored the St. Lawrence River waterways and established trade relations with Native Americans, especially the Iroquois.

Protestant Reformation & religious conflict

Protestant Reformation & Religious Wars

PERIOD / TIMELINE 1517 Protestant Reformation 1527 Henry VIII separates from Catholic Church see also: English Civil War, 1642–1651 see also Thirty Years' War, 1618–1648

Major Events, Concepts & Themes Martin Luther & Protestant Reformation Religious conflict & persecution as push factor on migration to colonial America

Notes & connections: details of issues, concepts, themes & events BIG IDEAS Protestant Reformation propels European nationalism Henry VIII’s break from Catholic Church ensures English-Spanish competition / wars Leads to English Civil War (1642-1651) that spills over to colonies American colonial anti-Catholicism drives colonial identity and serves as catalyst for American Revolution following British take-over of French-Canadian Catholic provinces in Canada Protestant objections to centralized Church of England doctrine leads to the splinter religious movement known generally as Puritans and their offshoots, including the Brownists, (from which the Pilgrims arose), Quakers, Levelers, Anabaptists, etc.

Spanish colonization in North America

Spanish colonization in North America

PERIOD / TIMELINE 1540 Spanish entry to “Pueblo” territories (southwest: NM, AZ) 1565 First North Amer. east coast colony (St. Augustine, FL) 1598 Spanish invasion of Pueblo lands 1680 Pueblo Revolt

Major Events, Concepts & Themes Encomienda: labor / land for conquistadors = abusive of Indians De Las Casas: Spanish priest wrote about cruelties v. Indians Sepulveda: Spanish humanist philosopher justified enslavement of Indians New Laws: Spanish reforms for better treatment of Indians Pueblo Revolt: Rebellion by Indians over maltreatment; led to New Laws reforms Asiento: deal for slave trade between Spanish and & nations (“assent")

Notes & connections: details of issues, concepts, themes & events BIG IDEAS: Spanish extraction & agriculture: need for labor Spanish goal to convert natives to Christianity Spanish abuses & reforms after native revolts & priestly criticism Development of slave trade DETAILS Encomienda, 1490s-1542 from Spanish encomendar “to entrust” land & labor grant to Spanish conquerors encomendero = holder of the land/labor grant were slave-labor mines or plantations for non-Christians Used across Spanish empire, in Morocco, Philippines, Americas Rewarded conquistadores w/ encomiendas, so incentive to conquer Designed to convert natives Abolished 1542, ended slave labor but made natives Spanish subjects Replaced by “repartimiento” system (“reparto” for “distribution” of workers) which regulated forced labor, technically no longer slavery, had some pay but not always, still forced, required native communities to contribute workers as a form of as tribute to Spanish king Bartolomé de las Casas Dominican priest/friar: In 1542: wrote about Spanish abuses in “A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies” Used accounts of Antonio de Montesinos who had denounced cruelty in 1511 sermon >> led to “Black Legend” = series of anti-Spanish/ anti-Catholic propaganda, used as political weapons to denounce Spain, full of exaggerations and lies Juan Ginés de Sepúlveda, 1489-1574 Spanish humanist philosopher, proponent of Spanish conquest of Indians Was a court advisor to Spanish King Wrote “On Just Causes for War Against the Indians” (1544) Justified slavery of Indians based on Aristotelian (Aristotle) logic as inferior to Spaniards Saw natives as pre-civilization, no rights, no property, no laws Opposed Las Casas who wanted better treatment of Indians Source: https://www.college.columbia.edu/core/content/juan-gin%C3%A9s-de-sep%C3%BAlveda New Laws/Laws of 1542 Preceded by Laws of Burgos of 1512, which were supposed to protect Natives, but were ignored Issued by Spanish King (also Holy Roman Emperor Charles V) Reforms, following Pueblo Revolt Ended encomienda system Outlawed hereditary rule of encomiendas Revolt by encomederos leaders, killed Spanish Viceroy of Peru who enforced the New Laws Set more direct rule by Spanish king enforced prior policies and forced the issue of ending encomienda system Pueblo Revolt (1680) Pueblo was Spanish term for Indian settlements in modern NM and AZ Prior Spanish treatment of native Indians “Acoma Massacre,” retaliation for a small revolt; Spanish cut off a foot of all men over 25 Into 1600s, Spanish control, outlawed Indian religious practices, forced conversion to Christianity, required tribute via corn and textiles 1670s: drought, reduced agricultural output, attacks by Apaches, destabilization; Spanish clamped down, tried to contain discontent; persecuted Indian medicine men, including Papé, who was released after Pueblo objections 1680, Papé (also Popay) led revolt, killed 400 Spanish, pushed out Spanish Protest over resentment over Spanish policies, enforced Christianity, forced labor, cattle management, mining Papé led campaign to remove Spanish/Christian influence 1692 Spanish put down revolt (100s killed), but led to end of forced labor and religion Asiento, 1500s-1700s = “Asiento de Negros” Asiento = “contract” = agreement between Britain and Spain to set agreements for slave trade between Africa and Spanish colonies in Americas was source or revenue for Spanish crown Spain used the asiento to give or take back rights to slave trade to its colonies Reciprocity Native American concept of sharing of land, resources, and labor Was part of cultural misunderstanding between European and native populations over land and object ownership

British North American colonization

British North American colonization

PERIOD / TIMELINE 1497: John Cabot 1st expedition to North America 1603: King James I crowned 1606 First Charter of Virginia 1607 Jamestown settlement 1608 Separatist group moves to Holland 1618 Great Charter (established VA self-governance) 1620 Mayflower Company/ Plymouth settled by Pilgrims 1622 Jamestown Massacre 1624: Virginia Company abolished; royal Colony 1639: Fundamental Orders of Connecticut 1642: House of Burgesses

Major Events, Concepts & Themes Joint Stock Company: shared ownership for commercial venture; used by England for 1st colonies Virginia Company: to establish colonies & find gold (didn’t) Headright System: land grant for brining laborers to colonies Indentured servants House of Burgesses: legislature, governing body of VA colony Separatists: wanted autonomous congregations “separate” from Church of England Puritans: anti-papal/ anti-Catholic, wanted to “purify” English Churches Pilgrims: separatists group sailed to Plymouth from Holland Mayflower Compact: Pilgrim contract for self-rule William Bradford: became Plymouth Colony governor; wrote book “On “Plymouth Plantation” John Winthrop: Mass Bay Colony leader, called it “city upon a hill”; insisted on church rules “A Model of Christian Charity”: Winthrop sermon declaring Christian mission of the colony

Notes & connections: details of issues, concepts, themes & events BIG IDEAS Corporate structure & charters of British colonial enterprises British settlements & interactions/ conflicts with Native Americans Religious movements & motivations Concept of self-governance expressed/ experienced: House of Burgessses John Winthrop Fundamental Orders of Connecticut Push/Pull factors for British settlement in North America Push factors religious persecution primogeniture (1st born inherits) Pull factors religious freedom economic opportunity DETAILS Joint-stock company = artificial entity to limit liability and distribute profits/losses across multiple ownership via “stocks” or portions of the enterprise originated in order to distribute risk in dangerous/ uncertain ventures such as trans-oceanic trade or colonial enterprise generally require legal authorization, esp. from monarchs in early modern Europe Virginia Company of London aka the "London Company" or the "Virginia Company," 1607-1624 1624: abolished and Virginia became “crown colony” Chartered by James I, actually a series of companies and colonial activities goal = establish English settlements on N.A. east cost also = find gold (didn’t), but did learn tobacco from Indians, John Rolfe (married Pocahontas) cultivated new strains for European market self-governed enterprise = possible source of democratic impulse among colonials Jamestown, 1607 1st settlements failed, resupplied Anglo-Powhatan wars English enmeshed in Indian tribal warfare 1610: English attacked tribes, took hostages, 1612 tribal leader Powhatan arranged peace, married daughter to Rolfe Powhatan’s successor took anti-English position, led attacks Jamestown Massacre, 1622, Indians murdered colonials peace agreements by 1627-32, but English expansion westward continued, led to war in 1644, finally Treat of 1646 turned tribes into English subjects, Virginia Colony expansion Headright System/Headrights = grant of land to colonial settlers first employed w/ VA colony, then Plymouth and others the “great charter” 1816 established headright system purpose was to populate, invest and procure labor land grants up to 1000 acres prior to departure in exchange for sending labor, usually indentured servants Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, 1639 Ii 1636, disaffected Massachusetts Puritans settled in Connecticut River valley 1638 Roger Ludlow petitioned Governor Winthrop for authority for those settlements to “united ourselves to walk and lie peaceably and lovingly together” 1639 Connecticut established as separate colony Fundamental Orders document declared protection of certain rights of individuals, limits on the government and the secret ballot for election of magistrates = considered first written constitution in English tradition and important step towards “self-goverance” thus the modern “Constitution State” state motto House of Burgesses, 1642-1776 local assembly/ legislature for Virginia colony, bicameral replaced the “Council of State” which operated under the Great Charter gained power over governors over time, representation expanded w/ colony tension w/ British government Separatists, 16th-17th centuries Protestants who wanted independent churches from Church of England initially illegal and persecuted but gained power under Oliver Cromwell, a separatist (1649-1660) wanted congregations to be self-determinant (i.e., anti-centralized church, = democratic spirit) 1608 separatist group fled to Holland (under James I of England who was persecuting them) 1620, off-shoot group, Pilgrims sailed to Plymouth, MA from Holland where they had lived apporx 10 yrs to escape persecution in England; wanted religious freedom but didn’t want to become Dutch Puritans wanted to “purify” Church of England from Catholic remnants strongly anti-papist (“popery”) want total separation from Catholic church most stayed with Church of England (see separatists and pilgrims) established Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1630 w/ Pilgrim separatists Mayflower Compact signed on the ship, Nov. 11, 1620 just off Cape Cod destination was Virginia Colony, but the ship landed at Cape Cod, and stayed there used that as excuse to declare self-governance maintained allegiance to England & James I text: “IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. We… Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid: And by Virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Officers, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general Good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due Submission and Obedience …” = declaration of self-governance/ democracy William Bradford, 1590-1657 of Plymouth Plantation Separatist, Pilgrim, 2nd & on/off governor of Plymouth Colony starting 1635 inherited farm & wealth interested in philosophy & religion, was persecuted as separatist in 1607 left for Holland to escape, started a business, married into a wealthy English family became ill during 1st winter at Plymouth (others died) as governor negotiated w/ local Indians (Massasoit of the Pokanokets), created alliance w/ Pokanokets wrote “on Plymouth plantation” = important historical record John Winthrop, 1587-1649 Pilgrim, arrived 1630, settled in area of Boston today leader of Mass Bay Colony encouraged common effort (not relying on servants for labor) helped shape legal system, opposed magistrate (officials in the “General Court” which served as the government) powers as arbitrary, called for laws to shape policies opposed pure democracy but supported rights of members of community, especially in church / congregation affairs did not support offshoot religious views, including Ann Hutchinson and other new arrivals (1630s), who were banished “antinomians” argued against following strict religious law and for salvation through grace famed for vision of colony as “city upon a hill” , saw the movement as a modern biblical exodus and example for the world “the eyes of all people are upon us” "A Model of Christian Charity" started as a diary of voyage to America and life in the colony, important primary source document later expanded on his philosophy and religious/ political outlook from it, “Model” was a sermon to define Christian community “City upon a Hill” from this speech saw puritan society as a model state saw religious rules as essential, called them “Justice and Mercy” and should apply to all, rich and poor historians see “City upon a Hill” as a statement of “American exceptionalism”

Post-Columbian Eastern Native American tribes overview

Post-Columbian Eastern Native American tribes overview

PERIOD / TIMELINE Iroquois League, 1450-1660

Major Events, Concepts & Themes Iroquois League/ Confederacy: union of “Five Nations” of Iroquois-speaking tribes

Notes & connections: details of issues, concepts, themes & events BIG IDEAS Northeastern Native American tribal alliances Iroquois generally aligned with the British Algonquin generally aligned with the French DETAILS Iroquois League, established c. 1450 to 1660 confederacy of Iroquois speaking tribes: Mohawk, Onondaga, Oneida, Cayuga, Seneca known to the English as “Five Nations” later Six Nations after Tuscarora joined in 1722) NOTE: “nation” or “clans” = better descriptor than “tribes” but collections of tribes who share certain commonalities, viz location, language, leadership, conquest, adoption the League negotiated w/ English, maintained independence opposed to the Algonquian, which were aligned w/ French, but some Iroquois settled in French held territory and aligned w/ them