Other Nations Explore Chapter 3, Lesson 4

Chapter 3, Lesson 4 Lesson Objectives Describe the aims, obstacles, and accomplishments of European explorers. Trace the routes of the explorers and identify the areas they claimed.

Vocabulary Northwest Passage mutiny

The Northwest Passage By the early 1500’s, Spain had become a vast and wealthy empire. European rulers still needed to find a shortcut to Asia in order to gain wealth and power. Explorers searched for a sailing route through the Americas they called the Northwest Passage. The search for the Northwest passage lasted for hundreds of years.

Verrazano and Cartier The French king, Francis I, sent Giovanni de Verrazano to search for the Northwest Passage in 1524. He explored the Atlantic coasts of North and South America. In 1534, the French king sent Jacques Cartier to look for the Northwest passage. Cartier claimed the St. Lawrence River and the lands around it. This gave France a firm claim to lands in North America.

Hudson’s Voyages Henry Hudson made four voyages in search of the Northwest Passage beginning in 1608. On his first three voyages, Hudson was sailing for the Dutch East India Company, located in Holland, which is now called the Netherlands. He discovered a river he named the Hudson River and claimed it for the Dutch. His last voyage was sponsored by an English company. He discovered Hudson Bay and claimed it for England.