1. Prince Henry the Navigator 1394-1460Portugal Sponsored voyages of exploration along west African coast; supported study of navigation Motivation: To spread Christianity; to establish trade in Africa to bring wealth to Portugal Outcome: beginning of Atlantic slave trade Anecdote: Never went on a voyage himself; during his life, there was a great fear of crossing the equator (boiling water, sea monsters?)

2. Vasco Da Gama 1460-1524Portugal First to sail from Europe to India Motivation: To find a sea route to Asia; wealth from trade Tortured and killed Africans, Arabs, and Indians who did not cooperate with Portuguese; long-term result-- European domination of Africa, India da Gama's crew suffered from scurvy; 2/3 did not survive the journey to India; da Gama fought against Arab traders already established in the Indian Ocean

3. Christopher Columbus 1451-1506He was Italian, sailed for Spain First European to discover the New World (America); he landed on the island of Hispaniola (now Haiti and Dominican Republic) Motivation: 1. To sail west to Asia and around the world 2. To find gold (2nd voyage) Initially seemed friendly, but later enslaved Native Americans to search for gold for him. Long-term results: the decline of all native American populations Columbus never believed he had discovered new land, but instead died believing he had reached Asia.

4. Ferdinand Magellan 1480-1521He was Portuguese, sailed for Spain Led first voyage to circumnavigate (sail all the way around) the world. He did not survive to the end of the voyage. Motivation: To find a western route to the Moluccas (Indies); to gain wealth by trade Kidnapped two from east coast of S. America; tried to convert natives in the Philippines islands to convert to Christianity; some refused Magellan was killed in battle between indigenous groups in the Philippine Islands; only one of the original 5 ships in his fleet completed the journey; only 18 of 200 men survived

5. Hernan Cortez (Cortes) 1485-1547Spain Explored Mexico and Central America, conquered the Aztecs To explore; to conquer the Aztecs; to find gold Conquered and wiped out the Aztecs Cortez was well educated; related to Pizarro; missed first opportunity to travel to New World when he broke his leg running across rooftops to meet a woman; took Native American as mistress and interpreter; conquered Aztecs by finding Allies among people the Aztecs had conquered

6. Francisco Pizarro 1475-1541Spain Explored Peru, South America, Conquered the Incas Pizarro sought adventure and wealth Held Inca emperor, Atahualpa for ransom, then murdered him; destroyed Inca empire Illiterate; Served with Balboa when he became the first European to discover the Pacific Ocean; collected gold and silver items from all over Inca empire and melted them down; killed in battle with other Spanish who wanted to control Cuzco

7. Jacques Cartier 1491-1557France Explored St. Lawrence River to Montreal Motivation: Looking for a Northwest Passage Kidnapped individuals to serve as interpreters. Several died. Some friendly relationships with Native Americans, but some suspicion and fear on both sides as well. He named every place he found after Catholic saints to show his devotion to the Church.

8. Sir Francis Drake 1540-1596 Britain Led the second voyage to circumnavigate (sail all the way around) the world. Helped defeat the Spanish Armada; Claimed west coast of N. America for Britain Motivation: To defeat the Spanish Allowed British and later Americans to claim land from the Atlantic Coast to the Pacific Coast Devout Protestant, hated the Spanish passionately. Attacked Spanish ships and stole their treasure, making him a pirate; honored by Queen Elizabeth

9. Astrolabe The astrolabe was an instrument used to determine a ship’s latitude at sea and its position in relation to land.

10. Scurvy ► Scurvy was a disease that plagued sailors. Its cause was a lack of vitamin C. It could be fatal, but was easily treated by eating fresh fruits.

11. Northwest Passage The Northwest Passage is a northern sea route around N. America to Asia. Many European explorers sought to discover it, but no one was successful until Roald Amundsen did it in 1903- 06. Climate change has made the passage more navigable in recent years.

12. Columbian Exchange The Columbian Exchange was the introduction of plants, animals, products, and diseases in both the America and the “Old World” as a result of Columbus’ discovery of America.