Chapter 5 European Exploration

The Age Of Discovery In the beginning Europeans were interested in Europe, Africa, and South Asia ◦ They didn’t know North America existed. They were especially interested in the Far East/Indies ◦ India, China, and Japan ◦ What was there: silk, spices, tea, and gems The “age of discovery” was started so European nations could find a direct route to the Far East, around the Muslim controlled land and seas in Asia

Contact and European Exploration Spanish, French, and English travel to the Americas seeking wealth. They try to establish colonies in North America with varying success.

SPANISH EXPLORERS Columbus Vaspucci Ponce de León Vásquez de Allyón De Soto Pedro Mendez

Columbus Instructed to claim all lands found in the name of Spain ◦ First discovered the islands in the Caribbean Sea ◦ Called natives “Indians” because he thought what he discovered was part of the Indies. ◦ Believed this until his death ◦ Found no riches, spices, or silk (just native jewelry) ◦ Does increase Spain’s wealth

Amerigo Vespucci Italian businessman; Traveled with Columbus Convinced that the islands found by Columbus were part of the New World “America” comes from his name ◦ Given to this part of the world by a Swiss mapmaker

Juan Ponce de León 1 st Spanish explorer to set foot on US soil On Columbus’s 2 nd voyage stays in Caribbean Brutally conquers natives in Puerto Rico, becomes governor Explores Florida coasts ◦ Named it “Isla Florida” (Island of Flowers)  Included modern day Florida, GA, S Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi ◦ Seeks “fountain of youth”- never finds it

Lucas Vásquez de Allyón Tries to set up a Spanish settlement on E coast 600 Spanish settlers: men, women, children, free blacks and slaves 1 st Attempt: South Carolina ◦ Swampy; insects (eventually sends him S) ◦ Landed in Aug; too late to plant crops

Lucas Vásquez de Allyón 2 nd Attempt: Georgia Establishes San Miguel Guadalupe settlement off GA coast (Sept 29, 1526) ◦ Allyón dies after being there just 10 days ◦ Lasts less than 1 year ◦ Most settlers die (very cold weather and illness) ◦ Slaves rebel (1 st slave revolt in America) ◦ Survivors leave for Hispaniola (Dominican Republic); only 150 are known to make it there alive

Hernando De Soto in GA Route through GA: ◦ 1540: Enters SW corner of GA  Food was a continuous problem  Very little meat- ate dogs  Over the 4 year expedition almost ½ people died (including De Soto) from disease, exposure, and Indian attacks ◦ De Soto goes NE into Carolinas  1 st European expedition to cross Appalachian Mountains ◦ May have reentered GA into Chiefdom of Coosa (Mississippian) ◦ Some disagree; believe that he went straight to Alabama

Hernando De Soto Conflicts with Native Americans De Soto and the Coosa: ◦ He was cruel to the Native Americans; captures Coosa Chief ◦ SE native groups mad; tried to destroy expedition ◦ Massacre fails; Native Americans killed ◦ De Soto heads W but dies soon after; possibly from battle wounds

Pedro Menéndez 1565; sailed with soldiers from Spain ◦ Spain didn’t like that the French built Fort Caroline in Spanish Florida ◦ Spain was outraged that France was building on Spanish soil and raiding Spanish ships Orders were to drive the French out and begin colonizing La Florida ◦ Quickly carried out their orders ◦ Captured Fort Caroline and executed the Huguenot defenders

St. Augustine- Spanish Colony 1565: Pedro Menéndez tries to keep French out of Fla Defeats French; builds St. Augustine fort not far from GA 1 st successful Spanish settlement in North America Located on Atlantic coast; very important military/political base Protected Spanish treasure ships traveling on the gulf stream

Spanish Missions Friars (church missionaries) lived and worked with Indians here ◦ May have a few soldiers Missions were Spain’s plan to prepare the SE for colonization ◦ Were usually built at the village of an important chief ◦ Indians were instructed in religion and social behavior. Trade also was here.  Young: reading, writing  Adults: new crops and farming methods

English Exploration In North America New World claims did NOT require the permission of the Native Americans ◦ Catholic and Protestant rulers both believed that they had legal right to occupy any land that was not already colonized by another power. ◦ They also felt moral duty to convert the natives to Christianity.

French Explorers Giovanni de Verrazano Jean Ribault

Giovanni de Verrazano 1524: sailed from France ◦ Thought he could sail W from Europe to Asia (like Columbus) ◦ 1 st came ashore on the Carolina coast, or possibly as far south as GA and Fla ◦ He then sailed up the east coast to Nova Scotia before returning home Spain used his exploration as the basis for its claim to the SE

Jean Ribault 1562: he and his Huguenots (French Protestants) landed on Florida’s coast and sailed N looking for a place to settle. N of present day Savannah, he discovered a protected inlet he named Port Royal ◦ Here the 1 st European fort was built: Charles Fort