Explorers of the New World Margaret Hinceman Beulah Elementary 2005

During the Ice Age, the Bering Strait was covered with ice During the Ice Age, the Bering Strait was covered with ice. The Bering Strait is between Asia and North America.

The nomads or wandering people walked across the ice covered Bering Strait hunting for food.

The earth began to warm and the ice covering Bering Strait began to melt. As the ice melted, the nomads could no longer travel across the Bering Strait. Today, there is a body of water between Asia and North America.

The people followed the large mammoths farther into the Americas The people followed the large mammoths farther into the Americas. As the larger animals begin to die out the nomads were forced to find other food.

The wanderers began to hunt smaller animals and eat berries and nuts The wanderers began to hunt smaller animals and eat berries and nuts. The people no longer traveled but settled down in one area.

Explorers began to wonder if there was land across the ocean Explorers began to wonder if there was land across the ocean. The Vikings were the first to make a voyage to the Americas.

The Spanish Explorers

After convincing King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, Columbus sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to the New World. He took three ships, the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria.

On October 12, 1492, Columbus sighted land On October 12, 1492, Columbus sighted land. His first landfall was in the Bahamas. When he landed he thought he had reached the Indies in the Far East and named the natives Indians. He was unaware he had landed in the New World.

Ponce de Leon, a Spanish explorer, sailed to the New World in search of gold and to conquer new land.

Ponce de Leon landed at St. Augustine, Florida and claimed it for Spain. Florida means “flowery Easter”.

Ponce de Leon also searched for the “Fountain of Youth.”

Poor maps, poor weather and hostile Indians created obstacles for Ponce de Leon.

The English Explorers In 1606, Christopher Newport commanded three ships, the Susan Constant, the Godspeed, and the Discovery. He set sail to the New World.

Captain Christopher Newport sailed from England to Jamestown Captain Christopher Newport sailed from England to Jamestown. Newport had three goals: He wanted to discover riches. He wanted to find a western sea route to the continent of Asia. He also wanted to colonize Virginia.

The crew started a colony in Jamestown, Virginia The crew started a colony in Jamestown, Virginia. The fort kept the settlers safe from the Powhatan Indians who lived in the area.

After several sea voyages, Christopher Newport opened a store on the James River. People would come in just to find out news from England. Today, this area is the city of Newport News.