US Mint
U.s. Mint: Jamestown Challenge
Sail to the New World, and take the interactive, story quiz on the first permanent English settlement.
McGraw Hill
Mc Graw Hill Higher Education: Old World, New Worlds
This article from McGraw-Hill Higher Education discusses European exploration in the late 1400s and 1500s and its impact on English colonization hundreds of years later.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1491 1607: Spanish Conquistadores and Colonial Empire
The Spanish gained an early foothold in the colonies, quickly becoming the most powerful European power in the New World.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Juan De La Cosa
A biography of Juan de la Cosa who sailed with Columbus and owned the Santa Maria. Looks at his voyages and the maps he produced as a cartographer.
Library of Congress
Loc: American Treasures of the Library of Congress: Columbus's Three Voyages
View one of the top treasures in the Library of Congress, the parchment on which is written the earliest description of Columbus's first three voyages to the New World.
Other
Early 16th European History
This site breaks down the history of Europe by year between 1525-1558. It discusses the political maneuverings of the period, the social conditions, and the conflicts that arose with religious and political disputes.
New Advent
Catholic Encyclopedia: Juan De La Cosa
A brief biography of Juan de la Cosa who sailed with both Columbus and Vespucci. His famous chart of the world is the oldest representation of the New World. Please note that "The Catholic Encyclopedia," is a historic reference source...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: America's Place in the Global Struggle
Read about how a fight for global domination between France and England resulted in the Seven Years' War, including the French and Indian War. See how the wars brought about great debts and strange alliances.
Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia
Canadian Theatre Encylopedia: John Murrell
John Murrell's plays are great for student work because they are low in content that could be deemed risky for high school students. (at least the ones I've read)