EUROPEAN EXPLORERS OF THE NEW WORLD

NEW WORLD EXPLORERS STANDARD: OBJECTIVES: Identify key people related to New World explorations. Describe explorers role and contribution to the New World explorations.

EUROPEAN EXPLORERS OF THE NEW WORLD DATE NAME COUNTRY RESULT/DISCOVERY

Bartolomeu Dias (1487) Explored for Portugal First to sail around Cape of Good Hope, Africa.

Christopher Columbus (1492- 1502) Explored for Spain Discovered the New World Landed in Caribbean Islands and South America.

Vasco de Gamma (1497- 1498) Explored for Portugal First European to reach India by sea (sailed around Africa).

John Cabot (1497-1498) Explored for England In search for a waterway passage to the Pacific along the North American coast.

Amerigo Vespucci (1499) Explored for Spain Surveyed the coast of North America. America is named for him.

Vasco Nunez de Balboa (1513) Explored for Spain Found the Pacific Ocean by crossing the Panama.

Ponce de Leon (1513) Explored for Spain Searched for the “Fountain of Youth” (Florida)

Hernan Cortez (1519-1521) Explored for Spain Defeated the Aztecs in Mexico. The Aztecs thought he was god.

Ferdinand Magellan (1519-1522) Explored for Spain Led the first expedition that sailed around the world, though he died in route.

Francisco Pizarro (1535) Explored for Spain Conquered the Incas in Peru with the use of medal clad soldiers.

Jacques Cartier (1534-1536) Explored for France Explored St. Lawrence Seaway looking for a waterway to Pacific.

Hernando de Soto (1539-1542) Explored for Spain Searched for gold from Carolinas to Oklahoma. Explored the present day Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi.

Francisco Coronado (1539- 1542) Explored for Spain Searched for the “Seven Cities of Gold” in American Southwest. Explored present day New Mexico.

Sir Martin Frobisher (1576) Explored for England Looked for waterway to Pacific along the North American coast. Northwest Passage

Sir Francis Drake (1579-1580) Explored for England Stole treasure from Spanish ships. Sailed around the world.

Sir Walter Raleigh (1587) Explored for England Sponsored the first English settlement at Roanoke. Searched for the “City of Gold” in South America.

Samuel de Champlain (1604-1606) Explored for France Established fur trading settlements in Canada. Also, he was a mapmaker and sailor.

Henry Hudson (1607-1610) Explored for England and the Netherlands. Founded Greenland Explored the Hudson River (New York) Led expedition to find Northwest Passage to Asia Tried to find a route to Asia over the North Pole.

Louis Joliet (1673) Explored for France Led first European expedition on the Mississippi River.

Jacques Marquette (1673) Explored for France French Missionary on first European exploration of the Mississippi River.

The Role of Spanish Explorers on the Colonization of the Americas Spain was the first European nation to discover the New World. Spanish explorers were called conquistadors. Four Important reasons why the Spanish were able to conquer the Incas and Aztecs. The Spanish had better weapons (guns and cannons) The Aztecs and Incas had never seen fair-skinned people nor horses, so they were afraid. The natives thought they were gods. The natives lacked immunity from European diseases )measles and smallpox) wiped out the population.

Spanish First Settlement St. Augustine (1565) St. Augustine was a settlement on the Florida coast. St. Augustine was vital to maintaining control of Florida and the Spanish trade from Mexico. Because of the ease with which Spain conquered and colonized much of the New World, other powerful European nations wanted to enter the fight to gain colonies. They were interested because Spain received gold and silver in abundance from its colonies. Spain was the most powerful nation in Europe. Only Portugal was able to challenge Spain by colonizing the sea coast of modern day Brazil.

The Role of the French and Dutch Colonization of the Americas The French sent expeditions down the St. Lawrence River and mapped the area around the river. They claimed the area of Louisiana (port city New Orleans) for France. The French influence can be seen in the Mississippi Delta regions as well as Cajun music and Creole foods. The Dutch explored the Hudson River . Also the areas of New Netherland (New Amsterdam- New York) The Dutch bought the island of Manhattan from the Native Americans. In 1664, England conquered this Dutch colony of New York.

The Role of English Colonization of the Americas The English established colonies on the eastern seaboard of North America. There were three regions of English colonies along the Atlantic seaboard of North America. The Southern Colonies The New England Colonies The Middle Colonies (Later Discussion)

Check/Review Which two explorers were searching for gold/ “City of Gold”? What role did St. Augustine have in the New World? Why were the Spanish successful in conquering the Inca and Aztec empires? In your opinion, was there any possible way the Incas and Aztecs could have won the battles against the Spanish? Why?

The Columbian Exchange