1. America Before Columbus & Early European Exploration

2. But First… North America
The “Land Bridge” – 40,000 years ago??? Is it correct?

3. Cultures of North America
In 1492… estimates: fewer than 1 million to more than 10 million inhabitants
Most settlements semi-permanent, fewer than 300 people
Agriculture: corn, beans, tobacco, etc.
Hunting for nomadic tribes

4. Larger Native Societies
Pueblos in the Southwest

5. Larger Native Societies
Mound builders (Cahokia – 30,000!)

6. Larger Native Societies
Woodland natives east of Mississippi River (e.g. League of the Iroquois)

7. Central & South America
Maya (300AD-800AD)

8. Central & South America
Aztec

9. Central & South America
Inca

10. Why and how did they explore the Americas?
Now… Europe
Why and how did they explore the Americas?

11. Improvements in Technology
Renaissance  artistic & scientific creativity
Use of gunpowder, compass, improved ships & maps
Printing press spread ideas across Europe

12. Religious Conflict
Reconquista - Catholic victory in Spain over Muslims
Ferdinand & Isabella marry, unite Spain
Reconquest finished in 1492

13. Religious Conflict
Protestant Reformation (revolt) in Northern Europe splits the Church
Protestants & Catholics desire to spread their religion across the world

14. Developing Nation-States
Monarchs gaining power in Spain, Portugal, France, England, Netherlands
Need revenue to run their countries  need for trade

15. Expanding Trade Increased trade w/ Africa, India, China
Italians & Ottoman Turk middle men
Others sought new route to avoid middlemen

16. Portugal Gets It Going…
Prince Henry the Navigator
Vasco de Gama  India

17. Spain Takes the Lead
Columbus gains funding from Spain to search for a westward passage to Asia

19. Dividing the World
Conflict between Catholic countries over colonies resolved

20. Spanish Explorations & Conquests
Balboa  Panama/Pacific Ocean
Magellan  Circumnavigate the world
Cortez  Aztecs
Pizzaro  Incas
Conquistadores
Increased World’s gold supply by 500%!
Encomienda System (Native Americans)
Asiento system (African Slaves)

21. Other Explorers

22. English Claims Henry VIII and Elizabeth I challenge Spain
John Cabot explored Newfoundland 1497
Sir Francis Drake & Sir Walter Raleigh
England defeats the Spanish Armada

23. French Claims
Cartier and Verrazano explore the east coast and St. Lawrence River, claim for France
Busy repressing the French Huguenots (Calvinists/Protestants)
Samuel de Champlain established Quebec 1608 “New France”
Louis Jolliet, Jacques Marquette, Robert de la Salle add Mississippi River region

24. Dutch Claims
Henry Hudson sought Northwest Passage, claimed Hudson River for the Netherlands  New Amsterdam/New Netherlands
Dutch West India (joint-stock) Company takes charge of New Netherlands

25. English and French Claims - 1645
Plymouth
Jamestown

26. The Columbian Exchange
Europeans and Native Americans had developed differently for 1000s of years
Contact led to an exchange of plants, foods, diseases (est. 90% casualty rate)
Significant, permanent changes to the WORLD