The Age of Exploration The discovery of America was an accident! This accident led to the “Age of Exploration”

Trade with the Indies European countries wanted spices, perfumes, jewels, and other goods from India, China, and Japan. The Europeans called these countries “The Indies.” To trade with the Indies, traders had to go overland or sail around the tip of Africa.

Columbus The overland route and the sea route were long and dangerous. Christopher Columbus convinced the king and queen of Spain that he could reach the Indies by sailing west from Europe. They had no idea another continent existed!

A New World On October 12, 1492, Columbus landed on the Caribbean island of San Salvador. Thinking he had reached the Indies, Columbus called the natives Indians. Columbus never admitted that he had not found a new route to the Indies instead of a whole new world!

The New World This New World provided wealth to the Spanish. Gold, silver, copper, and jewels were found in what is today Mexico and South America. The Spanish conquered these lands and people and claimed all its wealth.

Isla Florida Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon discovered Florida while searching for the Fountain of Youth. The city of St. Augustine was settled in It is the oldest city in the United States.

Lucas Vazquez de Ayllon Ayllon led the earliest attempt to settle what is now Georgia. It was unsuccessful because he died in the first few weeks of settlement. Disease, cold weather, and starvation destroyed the settlement.

De Soto Brings Death Hernando De Soto was the first European to explore Georgia. In search of gold, he and his men brought death to the natives in the forms of guns and diseases. The natives did not have immunity against European diseases such as smallpox. De Soto himself found death after discovering the Mississippi River. He was killed in a battle with Native Americans.

Glory, Gold, and God The Spanish had three reason for settling in the Americas: Glory – power for their nation Gold – wealth for themselves and their nation. God – bring the Catholic religion to the Natives.

Spanish Missions To spread the word of God to the Indians, the Spanish established Catholic missions along the barrier islands. Missions had another purpose – to prepare for settlement of colonists from Spain.

Spanish Missions on the Barrier Islands

Guale and Mocama The Spanish divided the coast of what is now Georgia into two mission areas: Guale in the north and Mocama in the south. Missions were built on the barrier islands. See map page 68.

Powerful European Countries and Enemies Great Britain and France also wanted land in the New World. Great Britain was a Protestant nation. France was a Catholic nation. Spain was a Catholic nation.

Requirements for Claiming Land There were three requirements a nation had to meet to claim land in the New World: Explore Occupy Control

France in the New World The French claimed land from Canada, down the Mississippi River Valley which they called Louisiana. The French also attempted to colonize north of St. Augustine which angered the Spanish. The French called this Fort Caroline.

The Attack on Fort Caroline Not only did soldiers live at Fort Caroline but French Protestants called Huguenots lived there also. The Spanish attacked Fort Caroline and killed all the Huguenots living there. Because the French could not defend Fort Caroline, they were not successful colonizing there.