The Age of Exploration

America has not always been America! Someone had to FIND it!! The Europeans found it first…or so they thought.

The Native Americans ALREADY LIVED THERE!!! They eventually took it away from the Native Americans that already lived there. 

This has been going on for thousands of years!

Why was trading important?

Eight hundred years ago, may people wanted silk and spices from China (Asia). The Silk Road was a series of trade routes between Europe and Asia. Merchants traded goods (like Chinese silks) in hopes of earning a profit (MONEY). This route was dangerous. Why?

It ran beside the hot, dry desert. It crossed high mountains. Merchants risked thirst, hunger, and attacks by bandits!!!

The Europeans wanted to find a safer, faster route to Asia. They knew if they could do this, they could make more profit…more MONEY. By the 1450’s, the Europeans now had navigation tools to assist them in finding a water route to Asia- which would be much faster and safer. Compass-A magnetic needle that always points north.

A safer water route to Asia because the Silk Road was too dangerous!!!

1492 Sponsored by Spain: King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella Believed he could find the West Indies (Asia) by sailing across the Atlantic Ocean. Columbus faced many obstacles: The unknown  he did not have any maps. Columbus arrived in the Bahamas (not the Indies)  NOT Asia So he never found what he was looking for!!

He named them THE INDIANS (because he thought he was in the INDIES) He brought new crops such as wheat, barley, and sugar cane, and corn back home. Made friends with the Indians and traded goods (like animal FURS) BUT… He brought diseases that the Indians had never had and many Indians died from epidemics

1513 Expedition sponsored by Spain Ponce de Leon was in search of gold and a legendary “fountain of youth” and GOLD He was the first explorer to reach Florida!! Juan Ponce de Leon fought with Native Americans  and never found his fountain!!

1513 Sponsored by Spain He was looking for gold for Spain! He also wanted to find a quick route to the Pacific Ocean. He was the first European to reach the Pacific Ocean!!! Balboa fought with Native Americans while on his journeys.

1534 Sponsored by France Continued France’s search for a water route to Asia. He sailed far up the St. Lawrence River…but never found Asia Cartier faced many obstacles  very cold winters and many of his sailors caught deadly diseases.

1497 Sponsored by England Cabot wanted to reach Asia for the King of England!!! Cabot landed at Canada, where fish were plentiful. One of Cabot’s toughest obstacles was that he had no maps.

1609 Sponsored by England Hudson was looking for the Northwest Passage Explored the Hudson River (it was eventually named after him!!!) Hudson’s discovery led to many settlements on the Hudson River.

His crew was very unhappy with him and set him and his son and a few other sailors adrift in a small boat. He was never seen again…

Conquered the AZTEC Empire (which is now Mexico City)

Conquered the INCA Empire in Peru!!! He captured and executed the Inca emperor! 

The British wanted the land in North America! The French wanted the land too! BUT the Native Americans already lived there…and had for thousands of years!!!

The British WON the Native Americans’ land!!! And forced the Native Americans to leave their homes!!! 