Age of Exploration Unit Study Guide

Christopher Columbus Was inspired by the travels of Marco Polo Convinced King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella to sponsor a voyage to the Indies However, Columbus discovered San Salvador in the Caribbean He claimed San Salvador for Spain He made 4 trips to the Caribbean, discovering islands. Sailed on the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria

Cortez & Pizarro Hernan Cortez conquered Mexico. He conquered the Aztecs and their capital of Tenochtitlan. Small pox helped to wipe out the Aztecs. Cortez was an explorer for Spain. Francisco Pizarro conquered the Inca’s in Peru. Again, because of small pox, Pizarro’s feat was much easier. He and other Spanish Conquistador’s conquered much of South America.

Ponce de Leon & Coronado Ponce de Leon led one of the first Spanish expeditions into North America (Florida). Wanted to find the “fountain of youth.” Tried to establish a Spanish colony in Florida. Francisco Coronado led an expedition into the Great Plains. Was looking for the Cities of Gold. Did find a Native American Pueblo in the Plains.

Cartier & Champlain Jacquez Cartier wanted to find a Northwest Passage through North America to Asia. Claimed land for France in what is Canada today. Never found the Northwest Passage. Champlain founded the first settlement in New France (Canada today) Established the first trading post in Quebec.

La Salle & Cabot Robert de La Salle explored the entire length of the Mississippi River. La Salle claimed everything west of the Mississippi River for the French. Cabot landed in Newfoundland (a portion of modern day Canada) Cabot, like Columbus, initially believed he landed in Asia. Planted a flag and claimed all of North America

Raleigh & White Sir Walter Raleigh tried to start the colony of Roanoke (Off the coast of N. Carolina). Raleigh returned to England, but sent a 2 nd group of settlers to Roanoke, but this colony disappeared. John White was the leader of “the lost colony” of Roanoke. He was sent to Roanoke by Sir Walter Raleigh. John White went back to England also, only to come back to Roanoke to find the colony and colonist all missing.

Smith, Pocahontas & Rolfe. John Smith was a leader in establishing the colony of Jamestown. Smith was captured by the Powhatan, but rescued by Pocahontas. Smith and Pocahontas developed a business- like partnership that aided the Natives and the colonists. Pocahontas and John Rolfe were married. Rolfe was a European colonist, and Pocahontas an indian from the Powhatan tribe. This marriage made things more peaceful between Natives and colonists.

Hudson Henry Hudson sailed for the Netherlands (Dutch). Was searching for a Northwest Passage for Dutch merchants, but was not found. The river he explored was later called the Hudson River. The territory he claimed along the river became New Netherland

Columbian Exchange Was a great transfer of people, plants, animals, diseases and ideas. Brought valuable crops such as corn and potatoes to Europe Created new opportunities for Europeans. The exchange was not great for the Native Americans--- disease, conquered tribes and death. Diseases such as: Small pox, influenza, typhus, etc. Historians estimate that 90% of Native American Tribes were wiped out by diseases from Europe. Slavery begins during the Columbian Exchange.

Slavery Comes to America High death rate of Native Americans led to the transfer of Africans to the Americas to do forced labor. Explorers would trade guns and other goods to African slave traders for people. Africans were carried across the Atlantic Ocean is disease infested ships. Once in Americas, the African people were sold to slave owners by auction.

Impacts on Native Americans Learned how to use new tools, grow new foods, and raise sheep for wool Some natives converted to the catholic faith Europeans brought diseases that wiped out many tribes The Aztecs and Inca’s were defeated by Spanish conquistadors. The natives were forced to do labor, and were treated as slaves in some establishments.

Religion Missionaries are priests who travel around and persuade people to convert religions. Priests built settlements called missions where they taught local indians different skills. Many settlers tried to convert Native Americans into catholics and christians. Some Natives were ordered to be whipped because they continued to practice their beliefs.

Roanoke Started by Sir Walter Raleigh. Newcomers and settlers were interested in looking for gold John White was a leading colonist in establishing this colony. This colony ultimately disappeared after John White left to go back to England for supplies. There are many different theories on what actually occurred. The word “CROATOAN” was carved in a door post, but it is still unknown what this means.

Jamestown Was the first permanent English colony established in America. Named after King James Struggled at first to survive in the colony John Smith established a relationship with Pocahontas and this created trading and bartering among the natives and the colonist. When Smith went back to England, times got tough because the Powhatan Tribe refused to trade with the settlers. The people lived in constant danger of indian attacks. John Rolfe married Pocahontas and this revived the relationship; colonist could live peacefully. Rolfe created tobacco trade which was good for the economy and trading.

New Netherland Territory was claimed by Henry Hudson, who was sponsored by Dutch merchants. Dutch merchants formed the Dutch East India Company who formed a colony in America. This colony was in New York, near Albany. Trading posts were established along the Hudson River. Peter Minuit, governor of the colony, offered materials to Natives for their land. The Iroquois Confederacy (5 powerful indian tribes) lived across the northern part of New Netherland.

New France Jacquez Cartier was searching for Northwest Passage, which he never found, but did claim land for France. This land was claimed in Canada. Fur trading became a large part of the economy for this establishment. The French made the Huron Native Americans their business partners. A trading post was established in Quebec.

Need to knows… Parts of the Economy: Fur trading Tobacco Gold Land Diseases: Small Pox Influenza typhus Killed many Native Americans

Why did they explore??? To look for gold To spread religion To enhance their own wealth To enhance the wealth of their mother-country To establish power