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Empires of the Americas Timeline

(1500 BCE - 1521 CE)

The timeline showcases the major empires that once ruled the Americas, from the Olmec civilization to the Aztec Empire and beyond. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Pre-Columbian Empires

Aztec Empire Founded

1325

The city of Tenochtitlan was founded, marking the beginning of the Aztec Empire, which would become a dominant force in Central Mexico until the Spanish conquest.

Image source: Aztec Empire

Aztec Empire Founded

European Colonization

Spanish Arrival in the Americas

1492

Christopher Columbus made his first voyage to the Americas, initiating the era of European exploration and colonization in the Western Hemisphere.

Image source: Spanish colonization of the Americas

Spanish Arrival in the Americas

Treaty of Tordesillas

1494

The Treaty of Tordesillas was signed, dividing the newly discovered lands outside Europe between Portugal and Spain along a meridian 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde islands (off the west coast of Africa).

Image source: Treaty of Tordesillas

Treaty of Tordesillas

Fall of Tenochtitlan

1521

Hernán Cortés and his allies conquered the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, leading to the fall of the Aztec Empire and the beginning of Spanish colonial rule in Mexico.

Image source: Fall of Tenochtitlan

Fall of Tenochtitlan

Inca Empire Conquered

1533

Francisco Pizarro and his forces defeated the Inca Empire, leading to the downfall of one of the largest pre-Columbian empires in the Americas.

Image source: Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire

Inca Empire Conquered

Colonial Empires

Conquest of the Aztec Empire

1519

Hernán Cortés and his expedition conquered the Aztec Empire, leading to the incorporation of its territories into the Spanish colonial empire.

End of the Aztec Empire

1521

The fall of the Aztec Empire marked the end of one of the most powerful pre-Columbian empires in the Americas, following the Spanish conquest led by Hernán Cortés.

Conquest of the Inca Empire

1532

Francisco Pizarro and his forces defeated the Inca Empire, leading to the subjugation of its people and the expansion of Spanish influence in South America.

End of the Inca Empire

1533

The defeat of the Inca Empire by Spanish conquistadors, including Francisco Pizarro, led to the collapse of one of the largest and most advanced pre-Columbian civilizations in South America.

Establishment of Viceroyalties

1535

The Spanish Crown established the Viceroyalties of New Spain and Peru, creating administrative divisions to govern their American territories.

Pueblo Revolt

1680

Native American tribes, particularly the Pueblo people, launched a successful rebellion against Spanish colonization in present-day New Mexico, leading to a brief period of Native American independence.

Image source: Pueblo Revolt

Pueblo Revolt

Mexican Cession

1848

As a result of the Mexican-American War, Mexico ceded vast territories to the United States, including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming.

Image source: Mexican Cession

Mexican Cession

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

1848

The treaty between the United States and Mexico ended the Mexican-American War, with Mexico ceding significant territories to the United States, including present-day California, Nevada, and Utah.

Image source: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

United States Purchase of Alaska

1867

The United States acquired Alaska from the Russian Empire, expanding its territorial holdings in North America through a negotiated purchase.

Image source: Alaska Purchase

United States Purchase of Alaska

Annexation of Hawaii

1898

The United States annexed the Kingdom of Hawaii, establishing control over the islands and expanding its influence in the Pacific region.

Image source: Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom

Annexation of Hawaii

Independence Movements

American Revolutionary War Begins

1775

The American colonies declared their independence from British rule, leading to the start of the American Revolutionary War, a pivotal conflict in the struggle for independence in the Americas.

Image source: American Revolutionary War

American Revolutionary War Begins

Revolt of the Comuneros

1781

The Revolt of the Comuneros in New Granada (present-day Colombia) was a significant uprising against Spanish rule, reflecting the growing desire for independence in the region.

Haitian Revolution

1791 - 1804

The Haitian Revolution, led by Toussaint Louverture and Jean-Jacques Dessalines, resulted in the abolition of slavery and the establishment of the independent Republic of Haiti, marking the only successful slave revolt in history.

Image source: Haitian Revolution

Haitian Revolution

Spanish-American Independence Movements

1808 - 1826

A series of wars and uprisings across Spanish America led to the independence of numerous countries, including Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Venezuela, from Spanish colonial rule.

Image source: Spanish American wars of independence

Spanish-American Independence Movements

Mexican War of Independence

1810 - 1821

The Mexican War of Independence, led by figures such as Miguel Hidalgo and José María Morelos, resulted in the independence of Mexico from Spanish colonial rule, ending over three centuries of Spanish dominance.

Declaration of Independence of Mexico

1810

Miguel Hidalgo issued the Grito de Dolores, marking the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence and the eventual liberation of Mexico from Spanish colonial rule.

Image source: Mexican War of Independence

Declaration of Independence of Mexico

Brazilian Independence

1822

Dom Pedro I declared Brazil's independence from Portugal, establishing the Empire of Brazil and ending the colonial ties with the Portuguese Crown.

Declaration of Independence of Brazil

1822

Dom Pedro I proclaimed the independence of Brazil from Portugal, marking the beginning of the country's sovereignty and the end of colonial rule.

Image source: Independence of Brazil

Declaration of Independence of Brazil

Texas Revolution

1835 - 1836

Texian forces rebelled against Mexican rule, leading to the establishment of the Republic of Texas and eventual annexation by the United States.

Image source: Texas Revolution

Texas Revolution

War of the Triple Alliance

1864 - 1870

The War of the Triple Alliance, involving Paraguay against an alliance of Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, resulted in significant territorial losses for Paraguay and had lasting impacts on the region.

Image source: Paraguayan War

War of the Triple Alliance

Spanish-American War

1898

The United States intervened in the Cuban War of Independence, leading to the defeat of Spain and the acquisition of territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

Image source: Spanish–American War

Spanish-American War

Spanish-American War Ends

1898

The Treaty of Paris was signed, officially ending the Spanish-American War and resulting in the cession of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States.

Spanish-American War Begins

1898

The United States declared war on Spain, leading to military conflicts in the Caribbean and the Pacific and ultimately resulting in the end of Spanish colonial rule in the Americas.

Key Facts

  1. The Olmec civilization emerged in Mesoamerica around 1500 BCE, known for their monumental stone heads.
  2. The Maya civilization reached its peak in the Classic period, known for advanced writing, mathematics, and astronomy.
  3. The Inca Empire became the largest empire in pre-Columbian America, ruling from modern-day Ecuador to Chile.
  4. The Aztec Empire was a powerful and highly organized civilization in central Mexico, with a sophisticated society and impressive architecture.
  5. European exploration and colonization had a major impact on the empires of the Americas, leading to their eventual decline and fall.

Source

This Empires of the Americas timeline was generated with the help of AI using information found on the internet.

We strive to make these timelines as accurate as possible, but occasionally inaccurates slip in. If you notice anything amiss, let us know at [email protected] and we'll correct it for future visitors.

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