1. But he started “something”…
1492: Christopher Columbus sails WEST to get to the Far East (India, China, Japan)
He sought gold and riches and to spread Christianity
He found local natives and very little treasure
But he started “something”…

2. After Columbus Discovered a New World…
More Conquistadors set sail and claimed lands for Spain…
Hernan Cortez………………...……conquered Aztecs in present-day Mexico
Francisco Pizarro……………………....conquered Incas in present-day Peru
Ponce de Leon…....searched Puerto Rico and Florida for Fountain of Youth
Ferdinand Magellan…………………………………circumnavigated the world

3. Explorers set out to find cities of gold in the new Spanish Empire
Francisco Coronando explored parts of present-day Texas and New Mexico
Hernan de Soto explored parts of present-day Northern Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi
As a result:
Spain became richest most powerful country in 1600s
Encomienda System was difficult to develop leading to African importation
Mestizo populations created and grew
Spanish forts (Presidios) set up everywhere with Missions to convert locals

4. But all that greatness came to an end in 1588…
The British defeat the Spanish Armada and begin to send out their own expeditions

5. After getting written permission from the King (charter) and investors (joint stock company) to fund their voyage, the result was…
Jamestown, in 1607 became the first permanent English settlement in the New World!!!

6. Hardships Poor work ethic
Unrealistic expectations – people didn’t have working backgrounds
Poor location (swamp)
Starvation
Poor leadership
Hostile Indians (Powhatan)