An overview of the key events and interactions between Europeans and the Americas from pre-Columbian times to the establishment of English colonies.
The period from 1491 to 1607 marked the beginning of significant contact between Europeans and the indigenous peoples of the Americas. After Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492, explorers came from countries like Spain, France, and England, seeking land, resources, and trade opportunities. These encounters led to cultural exchanges but also resulted in conflicts and the decline of native populations due to disease and colonization.