1. Exploration Desire for gold drew Spanish explorers to travel north Hernando de Soto explored areas of southern U.S. from 1539-1542 English & French look for the Northwest Passage John Cabot claimed coastal lands in present day Canada

2. Exploration 1524, Giovanni de Verrazzano while searching for the NW passage for France, he explored NY harbor 1534, Jacques Cartier sailed 150 miles up the St. Lawrence River Hoping he would find the NW passage, Cartier gave up the journey after he realized it was false With these different journeys, cartographers began to recreate the world view 2 new continents in the west (the America’s) Amerigo Vespucci (explored and map the coastline region)

3. Columbian Exchange

4. Trade Begins to Change Silver mined in the Spanish colonies of Mexico & South America Silver would go from America’s to Europe, then to China to purchase silk & porcelain Some of the silver would go to India for spices

5. Triangular Trade Trade of manufactured goods to Africa African slaves to the America’s Raw goods to Europe Cheap labor was the key to producing goods In 300 years, about 10 million slaves were sent to America’s

6. Spread of Culture Spain & Portugal begin to spread Christianity across their colonies These new Christians often added their own identity They combined their traditional beliefs with new beliefs Other culture practices such as coffee drinking with sugar