The explorers of the New World Why these men were important to the history of the United States we know today.

Ferdinand Magellan This lesson will focus attention on why Magellan is credited with the discovery of the Pacific Ocean. Magellan was a Portuguese sailor who believed he could find a way to get to the south sea by sailing around South America. Magellan was hired by the king of Spain.

In 1519, Magellan set out for South America with a fleet of five ships. Magellan landed in what is now part of Brazil. He followed the coast south and more than a year after leaving Spain found the waterway he was looking for.

At this point it would be helpful to discuss other explorers who were trying to find fame and riches. Balboa Vasco De Gama Giovanni da Verrazano Jacques Cartier John Cabot Christopher Columbus Leif Ericson- the connection that Cabot found the same island that Leif had found 500 years earlier.

I like to inform students that the Verrazano Narrows Bridge in Brooklyn, New York is named after this explorer. This gives the students an idea of why we are taking so much time to discuss these explorers. The same way with Christopher Columbus. We have Columbus Ohio, Columbus, Georgia, Columbus, Indiana, Columbus,Nebraska and Columbia, South Carolina all named after this fantastic explorer.

76 Even though people have tried to paint a bad picture of Columbus, it is important for students to know the good that he did as well. My clinical teacher also pointed out that Columbia in South America is also named after Christopher. We explained that the explorers were very brave people who did not do things alone.

Gulf of St. Lawrence The French king was not about to give up. He gave Jacques Cartier ships and money to find the Northwest Passage.

Ponce de Leon The conquistadors which is Spanish for conquerors, were also in search of gold. Ponce went to Puerto Rico where he found some gold and conquered the Indian people.

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