1.3 European Exploration in the Americas A. Early Contact in the Americas 1. In 1001, Viking sailors led by Leif Ericson reached the eastern tip of North America. a) Viking settlement known as Vinland, present day Newfoundland, Canada. 2. Evidence suggests that Asians continued to cross the Bering Sea into North America after the last ice age ended. a) It is believed that Polynesians traveled to North America in boats. b) Also Chinese and Japanese fishermen might have sailed to North America as well.

1.3 European Exploration in the Americas 3. Before 1492, the peoples of Asia and Europe had no knowledge of the Americas. B. The Voyages of Columbus 1. Portuguese sailors had pioneered new routes around Africa toward Asia in the 1400s and Spain wanted a share of these potential riches. a) King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain agreed to finance a voyage of exploration by Christopher Columbus. b) Columbus was an Italian sea captain. c) He planned to sail west across the Atlantic to reach the East Indies. d) The Spanish wanted to get wealth from any source, from trade or from finding precious metals like gold.

1.3 European Exploration in the Americas 2. In August 1492, Columbus set out in three ships (Niña, Pinta, and Santa Maria) and 90 sailors. a) On October 12, 1492, the expedition spotted land. b) Columbus was convinced that he reached the East Indies, in reality he landed on an island in the Bahamas. c) Columbus explored more of the islands and found signs of gold. 3. Columbus traveled back to Spain and reported back to the king and queen. a) He brought back examples of what he found and also said that the natives could be easily converted to Christianity and could be used as slaves. 4. The Spanish monarchs were impressed and made Columbus Admiral of the Ocean Sea.

1.3 European Exploration in the Americas 5. Columbus made three more voyages across the Atlantic. a) He founded the first Spanish colony in the Americas called Santo Domingo on the island of Hispaniola. b) A colony is an area settled and ruled by the government of a distant land. c) He claimed Cuba, Jamaica, Central America, and northern South America for Spain. 6. Columbus proved to be a better explorer than a governor. a) Columbus was a harsh ruler of Hispaniola and was arrested. b) He was sent back to Spain in chains, but was later pardoned by Queen Isabella.

1.3 European Exploration in the Americas 7. Columbus has long been honored as the one who discovered America. a) Today, we recognize that Native Americans discovered and settled these lands long before 1492. b) His daring voyages led to lasting contact between the peoples of the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia. 8. For a great many Native Americans, contact had tragic results. a) Europeans were convinced that their culture was superior to the Native American culture. b) Columbus’s voyages signaled a turning point, or a moment in history that marks a decisive change.

1.3 European Exploration in the Americas C. Other Spanish Exploration 1. The Spanish Explored and settled other Caribbean islands. a) They sought gold, land, slaves, crops, and converts to Christianity. b) They also searched for a route to Asia. c) In 1513, Vasco Nuñez de Balboa crossed the Panama isthmus and reached the Pacific Ocean 2. Ferdinand Magellan led 5 ships and 250 sailors on an expedition to circumnavigate the world. a) Magellan died on the way, but one ship managed to circumnavigate, or sail completely around the world.

1.3 European Exploration in the Americas D. The Columbian Exchange 1. The Columbian Exchange refers to a biological and cultural exchange of animals, plants, human populations, diseases, food, government, technology, the arts, and languages. 2. The exchange went in both directions. 3. This exchange also brought about many modifications, or changes, to the physical environment of the Americas, with both positive and negative results. 4. Europeans introduced animals such as chickens, pigs, cattle, and horses.

1.3 European Exploration in the Americas a) Forests and grasslands were converted to pastures. b) Native Americans learned to ride horses and use them to carry heavy loads. 5. Plants from Europe and Africa changed the way Native Americans lived. a) Bananas, oranges, lemons, and figs were new to the Americas. b) Bluegrass, the daisy, and the dandelion were also new. 6. Native Americans also introduced Europeans, Africans, and Asians to new foods, customs, and ideas. a) corn, potatoes, sweet potatoes, beans, tomatoes, manioc, squash, peanuts, pineapples, and blueberries.

1.3 European Exploration in the Americas 7. Europeans carried these new foods around the world. a) These American foods blended with other worldly ethnic foods. 8. European settlers often adopted Native American skills. a) In the North, Native Americans showed Europeans how to use snowshoes and trap beavers and other fur-bearing animals. b) Europeans learned how to paddle canoes. c) Leaders studied Native American political structures. 9. Through the Columbian Exchange, Europeans and Native Americans modified their environments and gained new resources and skills. a) Warfare and disease killed many on both sides