exploration
Native Americans Archeologists believe that the first Native Americans came across the Bering Straight
Central & South America - Empires Aztecs Current day Mexico City Conquered by Hernando Cortez Built temples, pyramids and stone palaces
Incas Current day Peru: Andes Mountains Conquered by Francisco Pizarro Built bridges, roads, buildings and an irrigation system
Maya Current Day Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico) Disappeared long before European explorers arrived Developed a system of writing and an accurate calendar
North America North America – Tribes headed by Chieftain Navajo, Apache, Pueblo – Southwest United States Cherokee, Seminoles – Southeast United States Iroquois – Northeast United States
By the mid 1500’s, the Native Americans of the Northeast had formed a well-organized political alliance call the Iroquois League of Nations. The main goal of the alliance was mutual protection.
Scientific Advancements Caravel – Ship that needed little wind, could handle extended travel Astrolabe – Determined LATITUDE on the globe via stars Compass – Determined direction from magnetic North
Explorers – Sailed for Gold, Glory, God, and Spices Explorer Sailed for… Explored Christopher Columbus* Spain Americas, Caribbean Hernando Cortes Spain Mexico Vasco de Gama Portugal India Ferdinand Magellan** Spain Atlantic to Pacific Jacques Cartier France St. Lawrence River * Columbus was looking for a new route to Asia ** Sailed around South America… Straight of Magellan Explorers brought disease to the New World that killed millions of Native Americans
Rivalry Between Nations Catholics Spain Portugal France Protestants England
Spain and Portugal disputed over new lands Resolved with Treaty of Tordesillas Pope established LINE OF DEMARCATION splitting land between Spain and Portugal France and England will fight a war later (7 years/French & Indian War)
Differences between types of explorers French – Fur trappers. Came to New World (Canada) and returned home English – Colonists. Came to New World and stayed permanently