European Explorers in the
New World
Presented by Brian Klinck
Europeans wanted Silks & Spices from Asia
Also wanted to spread Christianity
Used “new” technology◦ Astrolabes◦ Compasses
Why Explore at all?
Christopher Columbus
Fernando Cortez
Francisco Vasquez de Coronado
Juan Ponce de Leon
Spain
Born in Italy; sailed for Spain Crew threatened mutiny Landed in 1492 on what is today the
Bahamas Named place he landed San Salvador
(Spanish for Holy Savior). Thought he found Asia 4 voyages Died never knowing he found “New World”
Christopher Columbus
Came over to Hispaniola on Columbus’ 2nd voyage
Conquered current day Puerto Rico while looking for gold
Looked for “Fountain of Youth” rumored to be in present day Flordia
Settled in present day Flordia and continued looking for the “Fountain of Youth”
Juan Ponce de Leon
Lived in Cuba, sailed under Spanish flag to Mexico
Conquered the Aztec Indians Robbed Aztecs of all of their gold Took some Aztecs to Spain, upon return he
surrounded Aztecs and ended up killing most of them
Hernan Cortez
Lived in Mexico Traveled north with large band of soldiers to
find “One of the seven Cities of Gold”◦ Was informed of this city from a priest
Traveled to Grand Canyon & found nothing Natives told him of another large gold
deposit in present day Kansas◦ Found nothing
Considered a successful expedition by missionaries
Francisco Vasquez de Coronado
John Cabot Sir Francis Drake
Holland Henry Hudson
FranceRobert de la Salle
England & others
Born in Italy, sailed under the British flag. Was funded by merchants Explored present day Newfoundland. Thought he had found Asia Explored to the Chesapeake Bay
John Cabot
Sailed under the English flag Explored from the southern tip of South
America up to the current day Canada/US border.
Was a pirate as well, robbing Spanish ships of their gold
After robbing quite a few ships, Drake sailed to Asia and loaded up with spices
Was able to pay back investors 50 times what they paid for his voyage.
Sir Francis Drake
Born in England; sailed under flag of Holland
Tried to get to Asia by going north of Asia Forced to change routes and followed
similar course as Cabot to Chesapeake Bay Found Hudson River Drew 1st map of Hudson Bay Was mutinied by his crew in 1611. Sent off
ship without food nor water.
Henry Hudson
French by birth; sailed under the French flag. Explored the Great Lakes, & the Mississippi River Claimed all lands near the Mississippi River for the
French Flag, but did not start any settlements there
On last voyage, he missed going up the Mississippi River and started a settlement near what is today Houston, TX.
Got Indians mad at him; he wouldn’t trade with them.
Exploring party though he was crazy, so they killed him and left him in the woods.
Robert de la Salle
New settlements Gold More land for Kings & Queens New more accurate maps New trade routes
Positive effects of exploration
Contageous disease Smallpox
Many Natives were killed No one ever found Northwest Passage (until
about 5 years ago as told in class)
Negative effects of exploration
1. What were the 3 main reasons that explorers came to the New World? Gold, Religion, & Land (or Glory)
2. Why did the Aztecs welcome Cortez into their community? They believed that he was a god who was coming
to conquer them and tried to appease him.
3. Do you think that the king of France was happy with de la Salle after he messed up when trying to start a settlement near present day Houston? Why or why not?
Review Questions
Information from: Hirsch, Jr. E.D. – Editor – History and
Geography, 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., New Jersey.
Bower, Bert & Jim Lobdell , History Alive! America’s Past, 2003 by Teachers’ Curriculum Institute, Palo Alto, California.
References
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