Miss King Community House Middle European Exploration Miss King Community House Middle

This chapter discusses the competition among European countries for control of the Americas from 1492-1700. It also describes the conquest of many Native American groups, the culture of Spanish colonies, and the origins of slavery in the Americas.

Section 1: Spain Claims an Empire Spain and Portugal argue over the Line of Demarcation. The Treaty of Tordesillas decides Portugal gets most of eastern South America – present day Brazil. Spain becomes the most powerful country.

WHY?? European countries had 3 main goals during the age of exploration: 1. Spread Christianity beyond Europe (Missionaries were sent to convert Natives.) 2. Wanted to expand their empires 3. Wanted to become rich GOD GLORY GOLD

Mercantilism Mercantilism is an economic system, which describes how Europeans enriched their treasuries. Colonies helped them to do this. The colonies’ provided good or markets for the country. They tried to ensure that their imports did not exceed their exports and there was a favorable balance of trade.

First, there was Columbus… In 1492… COLUMBUS SAILED THE OCEAN BLUE!!

After Columbus’s first voyage there were many explorers to follow Amerigo Vespucci – an Italian, who realized that he did not reach Asia but a new continent and had it named after him by a German mapmaker – America.

Vasco Nunez de Balboa – a Spaniard claimed the Pacific Ocean for Spain.

Ferdinand Magellan – a Portuguese sailor, is credited as the first to sail around the world in 1522

2 Famous Spanish Conquistadors: Hernando Cortes – conquers Aztec empire in Mexico. Defeats Aztec emperor Montezuma in 1519. Francisco Pizarro – conquers Incas in Peru and defeats Incan emperor Atahualpa in 1531.

4 Reasons for Spanish Victories: 1. Spread of European diseases kills millions of Native Americans 2. Spanish excellent soldiers and have superior weapons 3. Spain made alliances with Native Americans who were enemies of Aztecs and Incas 4. Spanish conquistadors acted brutally toward the Native Americans under their control

Spain then began to explore other parts of North and South America. Hernando de Soto set out for Florida.

Francisco de Coronado traveled through South Western USA.