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A Timeline Journey from First Voyages to the Founding of English America Introduction: A World About to Change In the early 1400s, most Europeans had never traveled far from home. The world beyond Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia was largely unknown to them. But over the next 200 years, bold explorers would set … Read more
Overview The period from European discovery to permanent settlement in the Americas marked a major turning point in history. Beginning with voyages like those of Christopher Columbus, European nations explored, claimed land, and eventually established colonies. Over time, these efforts shifted from exploration to settlement, as people built communities and created new societies. This transition … Read more
Just before European explorers arrived in the late 1400s, North America was home to millions of Indigenous people living in diverse and complex societies. These groups had developed unique cultures, economies, and political systems shaped by their environments. From large cities in the Mississippi River Valley to nomadic groups on the Great Plains, Indigenous North … Read more
In the late 1500s, England attempted to establish one of its first colonies in North America on Roanoke Island. Led by Sir Walter Raleigh and governed by John White, the settlement mysteriously disappeared. When White returned after a supply trip to England, he found the colony abandoned with only a single clue: the word “CROATOAN.” … Read more
Long before the formation of the United States, the Iroquois Confederation—also known as the Haudenosaunee, or “People of the Longhouse”—created a powerful alliance of nations in northeastern North America. This confederation brought together several groups under a shared system of governance that emphasized unity, peace, and cooperation. In this lesson, students will explore how the … Read more
In the late 1500s, Sir Humphrey Gilbert helped shape England’s early ideas about building colonies in North America. Unlike earlier explorers who focused mainly on discovery, Gilbert believed England should establish permanent settlements. Although his own efforts were unsuccessful, his vision influenced future English colonization, including later attempts in the New World. What You Will … Read more
The Pacific Coast of North America, stretching from present-day California to Alaska, was home to Indigenous peoples who developed rich and complex societies supported by abundant natural resources. With access to the ocean, forests, and rivers, these groups built permanent villages and created vibrant cultures centered on fishing, trade, and art. In this lesson, students … Read more
In the late 1500s, English explorer Martin Frobisher set out to find a Northwest Passage—a sea route through North America that would connect the Atlantic Ocean to Asia. Although he never found this passage, his voyages helped expand European knowledge of the Arctic and strengthened England’s role in exploration. Frobisher’s journeys highlight both the determination … Read more
In the dry lands of the American Southwest, Indigenous peoples known today as the Ancestral Puebloans built remarkable communities that adapted to a challenging environment. Two of the most well-known sites, Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde, reveal advanced knowledge of architecture, farming, and community organization. In this lesson, students will explore how these societies thrived … Read more
In 1497, John Cabot sailed across the Atlantic Ocean on behalf of England and reached the coast of North America. His voyage helped England claim land in the New World and marked the beginning of its exploration efforts. Although less well-known than some other explorers, Cabot’s journey played an important role in shaping England’s future … Read more