European Exploration The Story Begins . . .

Christopher Columbus 1492

Christopher Columbus In 1492, Columbus wanted to sail westward across the Atlantic Ocean to reach The Indies and China. This trade route was known as the Northwest Passage. Trade with Asia was profitable, but difficult.

Why sail west?

Of course, Columbus wasn’t the first. . . This Chinese world map was made in the mid 1400’s. Leif Ericson (a Viking) settled the southern coast of Newfoundland in 1003.

But he was the most significant The voyage of Christopher Columbus put the Americas on the radar of all of Europe. Europe had been establishing an empire all across the known world, and now there was new land to conquer. There are three important European nations that settled North America.

The Spanish

The Spanish Slow to start, but gained power quickly. Discovery of America led to an incredible amount of gold in the royal treasury. Went from the brink of bankruptcy to the richest nation in Europe. Explored to spread their religion (Catholicism), gain wealth for the Empire, and spread the influence of Spain.

The French

The French Had holdings in Africa, Asia and North America. Controlled the Mississippi River and all its contributing rivers Hunted beavers and sent their fur back to Europe.

The British

The British Had built the largest global empire. “The Sun never sits upon the British Empire.” Late to arrive at the Americas. Settled the Eastern Coast and Canada. The first colonies were started by companies. Australia was the dumping ground for criminals. People came to America for religious freedom, jobs and cheap land.

The Natives

The Natives Each European power had different ways of dealing with the natives. The Spanish built missions to convert the natives to Catholicism. Natives lived under Spanish rule. The French came to hunt, and the natives knew where the best game was. They made friends. The British came to build new cities. The natives were in the way, and were pushed out or killed.