European Exploration Georgia Spain vs. Great Britain

Spain Arrives Spanish explorers and missionaries entered Georgia in the early 1500s. European contact made a dramatic impact on the American Indians. European missionaries attempted to convert the natives to their religion. They also brought diseases that wiped out a large portion of the native population. © Brain Wrinkles

de Soto In 1540, a Spanish conquistador named Hernando de Soto led 600 soldiers across Georgia. De Soto was searching for “cities of gold”. De Soto’s men tortured and enslaved the natives in order to gain information about gold and silver locations. He never found the gold, but he did leave a lasting impact on the American Indians in Georgia.

As Hernando de Soto marched throughout the Southeast, thousands of American Indians were tortured and killed by his men. © Brain Wrinkles

Diseases De Soto and other Spanish explorers brought horrible diseases that devastated the American Indian population. Some of the diseases included smallpox, influenza, measles, and chicken pox. The natives had no resistance to the diseases, and entire villages were wiped out at a time.

Diseases De Soto and other Spanish explorers brought horrible diseases that devastated the American Indian population. Some of the diseases included smallpox, influenza, measles, and chicken pox. The natives had no resistance to the diseases, and entire villages were wiped out at a time. © Brain Wrinkles

Barrier Islands In 1565, the Spanish established St. Augustine, Florida as their first permanent settlement. Then they moved north to establish a post off of Georgia’s coast on St. Catherine’s Island. Over time, the Spanish traveled to some of Georgia’s other barrier islands, such as St Simons, Cumberland, and Sapelo, and established more posts.

Spanish Missions and Forts Along Georgia & Florida’s Coasts

Missions The Spanish established missions (churches) in all of these places with the goal of converting American Indians to the Catholic religion. As the Spanish influence grew, more and more American Indians adopted the new religion. Many American Indians continued to practice Catholicism even after the Spanish abandoned the area.

Conflict in the Southeast

Southeast By the 1600s, Spain and Great Britain had settlements in the southeastern region of North America, and both wanted control of the area. In 1663, England’s King Charles II declared a new English colony, Carolina, which overlapped Spain’s territory in the region. After seeing the success of this colony, the British desired to take control of the Spanish territories in Georgia.

Southeast By the 1600s, Spain and Great Britain had settlements in the southeastern region of North America, and both wanted control of the area. In 1663, England’s King Charles II declared a new English colony, Carolina, which overlapped Spain’s territory in the region. After seeing the success of this colony, the British desired to take control of the Spanish territories in Georgia. © Brain Wrinkles

Control British and American Indian raids had successfully pushed the Spanish out of Georgia. Spain was not quite ready to give up its claim to the Southeast, so the stage was set for future conflicts with Great Britain. Neither country wanted to give up the resources or profits made in North America.

SS List key vocabulary terms that relate to the topic Related Videos: Draw a scene or symbol for 4 related videos. Write the title underneath each one. Draw a screen capture of a video of an important event about the interests of the Spanish and British in the Southeastern area. Write a catchy title. Title: Date this occurred Published: Description: Write a summary of the event. Likes # Dislikes # __________ __________