1. Early Georgia History
Mrs. Stack

2. Hernando de Soto (1540) Spanish explorer and conquistador
Led first European expedition deep into Southeastern United States
First documented to cross the Mississippi
Killed and starved large number of Native Americans in his quest for God, glory, and gold
Carried diseases such as small pox and flu that killed massive population losses and the end of the Mississippian culture

3. Hernando de Soto (1540) Introduced pigs to the United States
Buried in or near the Mississippi in secret to keep Native Americans from knowing that he wasn’t a god
Journals of his soldiers documented his expedition and also gave us information about the Mississippian culture that we would not otherwise have

4. Diseases (Small Pox)

5. Spanish Missions (1568-1684) Most successful colonization attempt
Spanish set up several missions (churches) on the Barrier Islands and interior of the state
Some established on St. Catherine’s, Cumberland Island, Okefenokee Swamp, and Valdosta
Primary purpose was to convert Native Americans to Christianity (Catholicism)
Natives again exposed to disease

6. Spanish Missions ( )
Mission system used to bring Native American cultures into the Spanish political and economic system
Brought diseases to the Native Americans
Crumbled during mid 1600s due to the deaths of large numbers of Native Americans and Indian raids supported by the British
Last Spanish Mission in Georgia was destroyed by a pirate attack in 1684

7. European Explorers - Spanish
Reason – God, glory, and gold
God (convert Native Americans to Christianity)
Glory (wanted personal fame)
Gold (bring as much gold into their treasury as possible)

8. European Explorers - French
Primary reason – fur
Sphere of influence in Louisiana, the Ohio Valley, and Canada
Connections to Georgia
Sailors sailed off coastline of Georgia and South Carolina
French Protestants (Hugenots) came to the New World in search of religious freedom

9. European Explorers - English
Interested in permanent colonization due to mercantilism. Mercantilist economy – country sought to export more than it imported.
British sought out colonies that could produce raw materials which would be sent back for production
Colonies would then purchase finished products

10. European Explorers - English
Religious freedom
Opportunity for colonists to begin a new life