Age of Exploration

1. Age of Exploration Unit Study Guide

2. Christopher Columbus • Was inspired by the travels of Marco Polo • Convinced King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella to sponsor a voyage to the Indies • However, Columbus discovered San Salvador in the Caribbean • He claimed San Salvador for Spain • He made 4 trips to the Caribbean, discovering islands. • Sailed on the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria

3. Cortez & Pizarro • Hernan Cortez conquered Mexico. • He conquered the Aztecs and their capital of Tenochtitlan. • Small pox helped to wipe out the Aztecs. • Cortez was an explorer for Spain. • Francisco Pizarro conquered the Inca’s in Peru. • Again, because of small pox, Pizarro’s feat was much easier. • He and other Spanish Conquistador’s conquered much of South America.

4. Ponce de Leon & Coronado • Ponce de Leon led one of the first Spanish expeditions into North America (Florida). • Wanted to find the “fountain of youth.” • Tried to establish a Spanish colony in Florida. • Francisco Coronado led an expedition into the Great Plains. • Was looking for the Cities of Gold. • Did find a Native American Pueblo in the Plains.

5. Cartier & Champlain • Jacquez Cartier wanted to find a Northwest Passage through North America to Asia. • Claimed land for France in what is Canada today. • Never found the Northwest Passage. • Champlain founded the first settlement in New France (Canada today) • Established the first trading post in Quebec.

6. La Salle & Cabot • Robert de La Salle explored the entire length of the Mississippi River. • La Salle claimed everything west of the Mississippi River for the French. • Cabot landed in Newfoundland (a portion of modern day Canada) • Cabot, like Columbus, initially believed he landed in Asia. • Planted a flag and claimed all of North America

7. Raleigh & White • Sir Walter Raleigh tried to start the colony of Roanoke (Off the coast of N. Carolina). • Raleigh returned to England, but sent a 2nd group of settlers to Roanoke, but this colony disappeared. • John White was the leader of “the lost colony” of Roanoke. He was sent to Roanoke by Sir Walter Raleigh. • John White went back to England also, only to come back to Roanoke to find the colony and colonist all missing.

8. Smith, Pocahontas & Rolfe. • John Smith was a leader in establishing the colony of Jamestown. • Smith was captured by the Powhatan, but rescued by Pocahontas. • Smith and Pocahontas developed a business-like partnership that aided the Natives and the colonists. • Pocahontas and John Rolfe were married. • Rolfe was a European colonist, and Pocahontas an indian from the Powhatan tribe. • This marriage made things more peaceful between Natives and colonists.

9. Hudson • Henry Hudson sailed for the Netherlands (Dutch). • Was searching for a Northwest Passage for Dutch merchants, but was not found. • The river he explored was later called the Hudson River. • The territory he claimed along the river became New Netherland

10. Columbian Exchange • Was a great transfer of people, plants, animals, diseases and ideas. • Brought valuable crops such as corn and potatoes to Europe • Created new opportunities for Europeans. • The exchange was not great for the Native Americans--- disease, conquered tribes and death. • Diseases such as: Small pox, influenza, typhus, etc. • Historians estimate that 90% of Native American Tribes were wiped out by diseases from Europe. • Slavery begins during the Columbian Exchange.

11. Slavery Comes to America • High death rate of Native Americans led to the transfer of Africans to the Americas to do forced labor. • Explorers would trade guns and other goods to African slave traders for people. • Africans were carried across the Atlantic Ocean is disease infested ships. • Once in Americas, the African people were sold to slave owners by auction.

12. Impacts on Native Americans • Learned how to use new tools, grow new foods, and raise sheep for wool • Some natives converted to the catholic faith • Europeans brought diseases that wiped out many tribes • The Aztecs and Inca’s were defeated by Spanish conquistadors. • The natives were forced to do labor, and were treated as slaves in some establishments.

13. Religion • Missionaries are priests who travel around and persuade people to convert religions. • Priests built settlements called missions where they taught local indians different skills. • Many settlers tried to convert Native Americans into catholics and christians. • Some Natives were ordered to be whipped because they continued to practice their beliefs.

14. Roanoke • Started by Sir Walter Raleigh. • Newcomers and settlers were interested in looking for gold • John White was a leading colonist in establishing this colony. • This colony ultimately disappeared after John White left to go back to England for supplies. • There are many different theories on what actually occurred. • The word “CROATOAN” was carved in a door post, but it is still unknown what this means.

15. Jamestown • Was the first permanent English colony established in America. • Named after King James • Struggled at first to survive in the colony • John Smith established a relationship with Pocahontas and this created trading and bartering among the natives and the colonist. • When Smith went back to England, times got tough because the Powhatan Tribe refused to trade with the settlers. • The people lived in constant danger of indian attacks. • John Rolfe married Pocahontas and this revived the relationship; colonist could live peacefully. • Rolfe created tobacco trade which was good for the economy and trading.

16. New Netherland • Territory was claimed by Henry Hudson, who was sponsored by Dutch merchants. • Dutch merchants formed the Dutch East India Company who formed a colony in America. • This colony was in New York, near Albany. • Trading posts were established along the Hudson River. • Peter Minuit, governor of the colony, offered materials to Natives for their land. • The Iroquois Confederacy (5 powerful indian tribes) lived across the northern part of New Netherland.

17. New France • Jacquez Cartier was searching for Northwest Passage, which he never found, but did claim land for France. • This land was claimed in Canada. • Fur trading became a large part of the economy for this establishment. • The French made the Huron Native Americans their business partners. • A trading post was established in Quebec.

18. Need to knows… • Parts of the Economy: • Fur trading • Tobacco • Gold • Land • Diseases: • Small Pox • Influenza • typhus • Killed many Native Americans

19. Why did they explore??? • To look for gold • To spread religion • To enhance their own wealth • To enhance the wealth of their mother-country • To establish power