Early Exploration
Looking for a route to Asia… Problems: Treacherous waters around South Africa Sea Monsters! Roar!
Looking for a route to Asia… Problems: Deserts Thieves/Bandits
Looking for a route to Asia… Problems: The Earth is flat! Sea Monsters! Roar!
To answer this question, remember the “4 G’s…” What did the early explorers hope to gain by exploring the “New World?” To answer this question, remember the “4 G’s…”
“G” #1: Gold Many European nations hoped to buy silks and spices from a few countries in Asia.
“G” #1: Gold Continued… Once the “New World was discovered, many early explorers were looking for a northwest passage, which was a passageway around the America’s to Asia.
“G” #1: Gold Continued… The discovery of gold in the “New World,” specifically in the Aztec Empire, urged exploration.
“G” #2: Glory Many explorers hoped to make a name for themselves. America is named for Amerigo Vespucci
“G” #3: God Europeans wanted to convert the Native Americans to Christianity.
“G” #4: Ground Many Explorers hoped to conquer new lands for European countries. Imperialism is when a powerful country takes control of a weaker country.
Nation Conquering Nation Official Language Canada France French Brazil Portugal Portuguese Mexico/Central and South America Spain Spanish None England United States