Exploring the World The Vikings…

Picture This… Fast forward to the year 990 A.D. Native American societies are continuing to spring up throughout North America – waves of migrants are crossing the Bering Strait to settle in the Americas (both North & South) to make a life for themselves.

And yet, the natives were not alone… Picture This… And yet, the natives were not alone…

No! Not Columbus…

Led by Leif Eriksson, the Vikings would be the first Europeans to inhabit North America…

Food for Thought… Who were the Vikings and where in Europe did they live? Why did they pillage, raid and steal from neighboring villages? Why were the Vikings in pursuit of land? What was their lifestyle like in Europe, Iceland & Greenland?

Vikings Notes: Who were the Vikings and where in Europe did they live? Why did they pillage, raid and steal from neighboring villages? Why were the Vikings in pursuit of land? What was their lifestyle like in Europe, Iceland & Greenland?

Exploring the World Video Clip Beginning – 2:04; 4:00 – 11:33

Who were the Vikings and where in Europe did they live? Vikings sailed the seas in small open ships and were famous for their skills as warriors and traders. Originally came from Scandinavia – includes countries of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Since Scandinavia was in the Northern part of Europe – Vikings called Norsemen – “People from the North.”

Why did they pillage, raid and steal from neighboring villages? Scandinavia – very cold much of the year, and because it is so mountainous – not enough farmland. By late 700 A.D. Scandinavia had such a large population that there wasn’t enough farmland to support everyone living there. Many as a result, were barely able to live.

Why did they pillage, raid and steal from neighboring villages? These conditions mentioned previously made some Vikings fierce warriors. They used their fine ships to raid and pillage communities that lay along the coast.

Why were the Vikings in pursuit of land? The Vikings realized that they would have to give up their warrior ways because their people wouldn’t be fed just by stealing alone. They needed good land where they could settle and farm.

Lifestyle in Eastern England Built mirror image villages of those in Scandinavia. Lived in tents while houses were being built – while men were building, the women cooked. Most Vikings farmed for a living – close proximity to farmland where crops were grown. Specialization – not all Vikings were farmers – created other items for trade.

Lifestyle in the North Atlantic While some settled in England other Vikings were busy building ships for exploration. Without any navigational instruments Vikings were able to find land (raven). 870 A.D – Vikings reached Iceland

Lifestyle in the North Atlantic Even though Iceland part of the Arctic Circle, ocean currents keep it warmer in the winter – more so than Scandinavia. Plenty of grass for grazing animals and in certain spots farming is possible. Water sources allow for fishing – which brought many Vikings from Norway and England. No trees – built houses out of sod. By 960, Iceland became so populated that those who came after would not have access to good farmland.

Lifestyle in Greenland… Erik the Red Largest island in the world. No trees; almost completely covered by glaciers. Farming possible in western part of Greenland. Many Vikings would follow Erik to Greenland regardless of the farming conditions because of the seal population.

Extra, Extra! Read All About It! Why was Leif Eriksson in pursuit of new land? Where did he get the lofty idea that there was land southwest of Greenland? Where in North America did Leif settle? How did the land in the New World compare to that of Greenland?

Extra, Extra! Read All About It! Greenland was a land without trees. Leif was in pursuit of lumber to build the Viking ships. Leif got wind of a juicy rumor – Bjami Herjulfson who had made a mistake while sailing to Greenland, passed it, but found another country with beautiful and heavy forests (North America). He never pulled ashore. This intrigued Leif.

Extra, Extra! Read All About It!

Extra, Extra! Read All About It! Leif first settled in Helluland, then Markland and finally Vinland which not only had thick forests, but it also had an abundance of grapes, salmon and fertile grazing ground. It is believed that Leif landed in Newfoundland which is now the easternmost province of Canada. Later, he would travel southward to Nova Scotia (Maine – Viking coin found there)

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The Viking Secret Since the people of Iceland and Greenland had little to do with those who lived in Southern Europe the discovery of the new land remained a secret from the rest of the world. Today, much of the Norsemen culture is unknown because the Vikings never recorded their discoveries. Instead the Vikings relied on an oral tradition or sagas - stories passed down by word of mouth to future generations.

Viking Trading Routes It is believed that Viking goods made in North America actually reached Europe long before Columbus sailed to the New World

Extra, Extra! Read All About It! Why was Leif Eriksson in pursuit of new land? Where did he get the lofty idea that there was land southwest of Greenland? Where in North America did Leif settle? How did the land in the New World compare to that of Greenland?