THE AGE OF EXPLORATION

European Motivations and the First Exploration

Motivation: God, Glory, and Gold

God God: Following the Reformation, Catholic and Protestant nations fiercely compete for new converts and wish to out do one another.

Glory Glory: Following the Renaissance, European nations desired to glorify their individual nations and claim honor for their homelands (nationalism).

Gold Gold: After seeing the effects of new trade with places like the Middle East after the Crusades, Europe now desires more and more wealth.

Technology and Tools of Exploration The Caravel: This new ship allowed explorers to sail against the wind and in deeper waters. The Astrolabe: Helped sailors use the stars to determine their location and direction. The Magnetic Compass: Invented by the Chinese and assisted with direction.

Prince Henry Son of the King of Portugal who pushed Portugal to explore further. Under his leadership, Portugal took the first step in colonization by claiming parts of West Africa.

Vasco de Gama Portuguese explorer who was the first to create a direct sea trade route with Asia His voyages made Europeans begin to think about the possibility of other routes to Asia.

Spain and Portugal Clash As the competition for new land and wealth heated up, Portugal and Spain came to the edge of war. To settle this dispute, the Pope created the Treaty of Tordesillas that divided the Americas between Portugal and Spain.

End of Portuguese Dominance Although Portugal created a successful trading empire throughout Africa, Asia, and America, they were simply overpowered by the military strength of the Spanish. Also, new competitors such as England and France, ended their hopes of global domination. <

COLONIAL POWERS

SPAIN

Columbus and Discovery for Spain While in search of an eastern trade route to India, the Italian explorer Columbus, sailing in the name of Spain, claims the first colonies in the Americas for Spain. After several more voyages, Columbus and others realize they are dealing with an entirely new land.

The Conquistadors Many Spanish Explorers quickly became conquerors of the native peoples of America. Conquistadors claimed they were bringing Christianity to pagan people but in reality were obsessed with the idea of gaining wealth and fame. Hernando Cortes: Conquered Mexico and the Aztecs Francisco Pizarro: Conquered Peru and the Incas

ENGLAND, FRANCE, AND THE NETHERLANDS

The English and Jamestown Inspired by their rivals the Spanish, King James passed a charter to found a colony in North America. In 1607, Jamestown was founded in the colony of Virginia. Although disastrous at first, Jamestown eventually survived and paved the way for further English colonization.

It did not happen like this?

New England While Virginia was being settled in the south, the pilgrims, a religious group seeking religious freedom began colonization of the northern colonies. In 1620, New England was established and another religious group known as the puritans flooded in, seeking freedom.

NEW FRANCE French Explorers such as Champlain and Cartier searched for a northern sea route to Asia, instead what they discovered was Canada. Along with the new French colony of Louisiana, New France was established.

The Fur Trade France quickly turned their vast colony into a trading power house that trade all types of good, however furs proved to be the most profitable. French came to New France primarily to make money, not to move their permanently.

The Dutch The small republic of the Netherlands also began to seek out colonial opportunities and most notably founded New Netherland. However after being attacked and driven out by the English, New Netherlands became New York.

Native Response At first natives in North America cooperated with the Europeans and in New France in particular they became strong trading partners. However in some areas hostilities did occur including between the English and Powhatan Chief Metacom. In the long run though, most native tribes fell prey to disease or retreated farther inland.