Exploration and Discovery

I. The Renaissance brought new ways of looking at the world A.Scientists challenged old assumptions mid 1500’s B. The Scientific Revolution: A way of thinking about the natural world based upon careful observation and willingness to question accepted beliefs C. Scientists analyzed the natural world Studied the human body Used precise tools- Microscope, Telescope

II. A desire for new trade routes and to spread Christianity leads to EXPLORATION A.Spain and Portugal take the lead B.Prince Henry the navigator of Portugal opens a navigation center in 1400 C. Spain builds over seas empire: 1500’s 1. Spain Prospers 2.Art and Literature flourish 3. Spain’s Golden Age

III.Exploration and Colonization lead to new economic policies A.Commercial Revolution ( ’s) a system of trade, profit and investment 1.Merchants invested in bold enterprises to expand their profits 2. Beginning of capitalism B.Mercantilism: eco. Theory states a country’s eco. strength depends on acquiring gold and silver, manufacturing, commerce, colonies, shipping, a navy, and more exports than imports

The Great Explorers 1. Christopher Columbus: Italian who sailed for Spain under Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand a. Nina, Pinta, & Santa Maria;1492 b. arrived in present day San Salvador c. explored Caribbean islands, sighted mainland S. America over 4 voyages between

The Great Explorers 2. Amerigo Vespucci: Sailed for Spain a. credited with the idea that South America was a continent separate from Asia b. discovered mouth of the Amazon river c first map with New World labeled “America” in honor of Vespucci

The Great Explorers 3. Ferdinand Magellan: a led expedition for Spain to find western route to East Indies b. known European expedition to circumnavigate the globe c. first known crossing of the Pacific Ocean

The Great Explorers 4. Francisco Pizarro sailed for Spain a. led inland expedition of Peru b. Conquered Inca Empire c. w/ 180 men, he defeated 40,000 Peruvians d. he captured the Inca ruler Atahualpa; demanded and received a ransom in gold e. executed Atahualpa anyway (1533)

The Great Explorers 5. Hernando Cortez: led expedition for Spain to conquer Mexico’s Aztec Empire a defeated Aztecs b. Captured and killed Aztec Emperor Montezuma c. destroyed Tenochtitlan, (Aztec capital) and established Mexico city as capital of New Spain

The Great Explorers 6. John Cabot (Italian Giovanni Caboto) a. Sailed for England in 1497 b. Landed in North America (Nova Scotia or Newfoundland?) c. Established England’s claim to North America d. First recorded landfall of European’s in North America since the Vikings.

The Great Explorers 7.Samuel De Champlain: Sailed for France Led expedition that founded Quebec (first permanent French colony in N. America; 1608) b. Pioneered fur trading route into interior w/Native Americans c. Efforts promoted colonization of Canada