Early ExplorationEarly Exploration

Columbus Crosses the AtlanticColumbus Crosses the Atlantic

Seeking New Trade RouteSeeking New Trade RouteThe maps that Columbus and the first The maps that Columbus and the first

European explorers used did not include European explorers used did not include America. America.

They showed 3 continents – Europe, Asia and They showed 3 continents – Europe, Asia and Africa. Africa.

Portugal wanted to find a new route to China Portugal wanted to find a new route to China and India. and India.

Columbus Crosses the AtlanticColumbus Crosses the AtlanticChristopher Columbus thought he could reach Christopher Columbus thought he could reach

Asia by sailing west.Asia by sailing west.Queen Isabella of Spain financed Christopher Queen Isabella of Spain financed Christopher

Columbus’s expedition for 2 reasons:Columbus’s expedition for 2 reasons:He promised to bring Christianity to and lands he He promised to bring Christianity to and lands he

found.found. If he found a way to Asia, Spain would become very If he found a way to Asia, Spain would become very

wealthy.wealthy.She promised Columbus a share of any riches She promised Columbus a share of any riches

gained from lands he discovered on his way to gained from lands he discovered on his way to Asia.Asia.

Columbus’s First VoyageColumbus’s First Voyage In 1492, Columbus set our from Palos, Spain.In 1492, Columbus set our from Palos, Spain.He had 2 small ships, the Nina and the Pinta, He had 2 small ships, the Nina and the Pinta,

and a larger one, the Santa Maria, carrying a and a larger one, the Santa Maria, carrying a total of about 90 sailors. total of about 90 sailors.

2 months later the crew had spotted a small 2 months later the crew had spotted a small island, part of the group now called the island, part of the group now called the Bahamas. Bahamas.

Columbus claimed the island for Spain, and Columbus claimed the island for Spain, and named it named it San SalvadorSan Salvador..

Although he did not know it, Columbus had Although he did not know it, Columbus had reached the Americas. reached the Americas.

Columbus’s First VoyageColumbus’s First VoyageColumbus explored the area for several Columbus explored the area for several

months, convinced he had reached the East months, convinced he had reached the East Indies, the islands off the coast of Asia. Indies, the islands off the coast of Asia.

Columbus called the local people Indians.Columbus called the local people Indians.

Columbus’s Later VoyagesColumbus’s Later VoyagesColumbus made three more voyages from Columbus made three more voyages from

Spain. Spain. He claimed present-day Haiti, Dominican He claimed present-day Haiti, Dominican

Republic, Cuba, and Jamaica for Spain and Republic, Cuba, and Jamaica for Spain and established settlements.established settlements.

In time their voyages led to the establishment of In time their voyages led to the establishment of the Spanish Empire in the Americas. the Spanish Empire in the Americas.

Dividing the WorldDividing the WorldBoth Spain and Portugal wanted to protect their Both Spain and Portugal wanted to protect their

claims, and they turned to Pope Alexander VI claims, and they turned to Pope Alexander VI for help.for help.

In 1493 the pope drew a line of demarcation, In 1493 the pope drew a line of demarcation, and imaginary line running down the middle of and imaginary line running down the middle of the Atlantic from the North Pole to the South the Atlantic from the North Pole to the South Pole. Pole.

Spain was to control all the lands to the west of Spain was to control all the lands to the west of the line.the line.

Portugal was to have control of all lads to the Portugal was to have control of all lads to the east of the line.east of the line.

Dividing the WorldDividing the WorldSpain protested that the division favored Spain.Spain protested that the division favored Spain. In 1494 the two countries signed the Treaty of In 1494 the two countries signed the Treaty of

Tordesillas, and agreement to move the line Tordesillas, and agreement to move the line farther west. farther west.

The treaty divided the entire unexplored world The treaty divided the entire unexplored world between Spain and Portugal. between Spain and Portugal.

Exploring AmericaExploring America In 1499 explorer Amerigo Vespucci began In 1499 explorer Amerigo Vespucci began

mapping South America’s coastline. mapping South America’s coastline. Vespucci concluded that South America was a Vespucci concluded that South America was a

continent not part of Asia.continent not part of Asia.By the early 1500’s, European geographers By the early 1500’s, European geographers

had begun to call the continent America, in had begun to call the continent America, in honor of Amerigo Vespuci.honor of Amerigo Vespuci.