1. The Explorers

2. I. Christopher Columbus
Makes 4 trips from 1492 – 1504 claiming lands for Spain
Believes that he had found
islands off the east coast of
India

3. II. Vasco da Gama
Sails around the southern tip of Africa and across the Indian Ocean to India in 1498
Returns to Portugal with many rich trade goods
No need for overland
trade routes

4. The Treaty of Tordesillas - 1494
Pope Alexander VI draws imaginary line on a map of the Atlantic Ocean
All “new” lands west of the line are Spain’s all “new” lands east of the line are Portugal’s
May only claim lands not already held by Christian rulers

5. Yellow = Spanish Speaking Possessions
Blue = Portuguese Speaking Possessions

6. III. Vasco Núñez de Balboa
Settles on Hispaniola in 1502
1513 makes an overland crossing of the isthmus of Panama and gazes on the Pacific Ocean

7. IV. Amerigo Vespucci
1497 – 1504 makes several crossings of the Atlantic
Unlike others he thinks that this is a completely “new world,” not a part of Asia

8. V. Ferdinand Magellan Sails across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
Dies in 1521 in the Philippine Islands
Crew sails on and is first
to make an around the
world voyage

9. VI. Hernan Cortés
1518 – 1519 Lands in Mexico and conquers the Aztec people
Plunders and claims
the land for Spain

10. VII. Francisco Pizarro Leads expedition into S. America
1530 conquers the Inca and claims lands and wealth for Spain

11. VIII. De Soto and Coronado
Explore much of the American south looking for fables
Fountain of Youth and City of Gold

12. The Columbian Exchange
New World Old World
Corn Disease
Tobacco Influenza
Tomatoes Smallpox
Beans Horses
Chocolate Sheep
Gold/Silver Oranges