The Discovery of America

The Discovery of America Click to Continue By Jim Weil

Introduction The Purpose of this guide is to help you learn about the discovery of America and help you understand the importance of each country involved. You will complete this guide by yourself. If you need any help with navigating this guide, feel free to ask for help. After completing this guide you will take a short quiz covering the process of the discovery and colonization of America. I hope you enjoy this guide to the discovery of America. Go on

Introduction Here is a brief explanation of how to navigate this guide. Click this button to go to the next screen. Click this button to go to the previous screen. Click this button to go to the main menu. Click this button to skip to the quiz.

Here are some questions for you to think about throughout this guide: • Why are France, England, and Spain so important in shaping our America? • Why should we study how America was discovered?

America is a very young nation. We’re only a little over 200 years, but were discovered by Europe about 500 years ago. You probably think about Christopher Columbus whenever someone talks about the discovery of America, but he was just a small part of the big picture. Not only did Spain help discover America but also opened the pathway to future colonization by France and England. A little background info

Main Menu Click on which ever country you want to start at.

SPAIN Let’s start with a small quiz! True or False: Christopher Columbus was the first European to discover America. OR

There were many explorers before Columbus although it is very difficult to decide who was the first. Columbus did have a great impact on the colonization of the Americans. Correct!! Find out more.

Although it is debatable as to who was the first European, it was not Christopher Columbus. But he still made a very important contribution to the colonization of America. Sorry!! Find out more.

SPAIN Click where you want to start. • Notable Names • Exploration • Colonies

Notable Names Christopher Columbus- A Spanish explorer who took a voyage to find a new route to India in 1492. He landed on a small island in the Bahamas, which he named San Salvador. He returned to Spain with his new discovery and started what became known as the Columbian Exchange, a grand era of trade and commerce between the Old World and the New World.

Notable Names Hernando Cortez- In 1519, he led a group of conquistadors to explore Mexico. When he arrived he claimed the land for Spain and set out to conquer it. He marched with over 400 men to the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan. He kidnapped their emperor, Montezuma II, and demanded his people’s allegiance. His people caved and Cortez conquered Mexico.

Notable Names Francisco Pizarro- In 1531, he led a group of Spaniards into Inca territory, common day Peru, with thoughts of conquest and discovering riches. He captured their emperor, Atahualpa, and demanded a huge ransom of gems and rare metals. Although the Incas fought back, they were defeated by superior weapon technology. They eventually executed the emperor for rebelling against Spain. Spain

Columbus’ Voyage- With the hope of finding a new trade route to India, he actually discovered islands that we now call the Bahamas. He returned to Spain to tell about his discovery and made many more voyages to what he thought was India. His voyages would spark the future exploration of the New World. Check out this cool clip from the movie 1492 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9W1G3Tn31A Exploration

Conquest of South America- The voyages of Columbus set off a series of explorations and conquests in the New World. Conquistadors like Cortez and Pizarro set out to gather riches and claim new land in the name of Spain. Many explored Central America and discovered the Pacific Ocean. Exploration

Going North- Exploration of the Northern part of the New World came naturally after the conquest of South America. Explorations were led with conquistadors. They claimed many lands in the New World that would eventually become Spain’s colonies. Exploration Spain

Colonies Click on each area highlighted. Spanish Florida New Spain Mexico Louisiana Spain

ENGLAND • Notable Names • Exploration • Colonies

Puritans- They were a group of religious people who sought separation from the Church of England. Between 1620 and 1640 many Puritans emigrated to the New World to escape the religious persecution. Notable Names

Pocahontas- a young Native American girl from the Powhatan tribe who helped protect and save the colony of Jamestown. Through her friendship with John Smith she helped keep Jamestown safe from her tribe and helped feed the colonists. Find out more cool fact about Pocahontas here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHBl-EuFoLY Notable Names England

Leaving England- Around the start of the 17th century British colonists began sailing over to the New World. There were many motivations to explore the New World, including economic competition with Spain, over population, and Freedom of religion. Exploration

Jamestown- This was the first successful English colony of the New World. In 1606 English colonists were sent by the London Virginia in search of gold. After years of struggle, Jamestown became a powerful colony after tapping into the export of tobacco. Exploration

Pilgrims and Puritans- Both of these religious groups sought religious freedom and voyaged to the New World. The Pilgrims landed in modern day New York in 1620 and established the Plymouth colony. The Puritans, who cam in 1624, established Massachusetts Bay colony. The two eventually merged into one. Exploration England

England colonized on most of the east coast of America. There main colonies were New England, Chesapeake Bay, the Middle Colonies, the Carolinas, and the Lower South. Colonies

English Colonies Click on each are highlighted New England Chesapeake Bay Middle Colonies The Carolinas The Lower South England

FRANCE • Notable Names • Exploration • Colonies

Giovanni da Verrazano- In 1524, he was sent by the king of France, King Francis I, to explore the area between Florida and Newfoundland for a route to the Pacific Ocean. He became the first European to explore much of the Atlantic coast. Notable Names

Jacques Cartier- Another explorer who sent by Francis I to explore Newfoundland and find a route to the orient. On his third voyage he searched for the Kingdom of Saguenay, a mythical Algonquin city, an to establish a settlement along the St. Lawrence River. This would led to future French colonies. Notable Names

Samuel da Champlain- An explorer and sailor who traveled to the New World for the fur trading in 1603. He created a small trading that would grow into the city of Quebec, which would become the capital of the New France colony. Notable Names France

Early Explorers- The earliest French explorers were sent to the New World to find a new trade route to India, around 1524. around 1541 they began searching for permanent settlement spots in the New World. Exploration

Canada and the Great Lakes- In the beginning of the 17th century the French began to push inward, from Newfoundland to Canada. They began to push into this area due to the lucrative fur trade. Exploration

New France- The nature of fur trading made colonization almost impossible. The growing city of Quebec led to the creation New France in 1612. By 1663 it became a royal colony and became a major player in the fur trading business of the New World. Exploration France

The French colonies were established in north eastern America and the Caribbean islands. New France was France’s biggest colony, spanning from Canada to Louisiana. Colonies

French Colonies Click on each area highlighted. Canada and the Great Lakes New France France

Now that you have learned about the discovery of America… It’s Quiz Time!!

Question 1: What year did Christopher Columbus arrive at the New World? A. 1516 B. 1606 C. 1492 D. 1531

Correct!! Great Job! Keep going. Continue

Sorry That was the incorrect. Try looking over some the material again. GO HERE

Notable Names Christopher Columbus- A Spanish explorer who took a voyage to find a new route to India in 1492. He landed on a small island in the Bahamas, which he named San Salvador. He returned to Spain with his new discovery and started what became known as the Columbian Exchange, a grand era of trade and commerce between the Old World and the New World. Back to Question

Question 2: What areas are colonies of Spain?

Colonies Click on each area highlighted. Spanish Florida New Spain Mexico Louisiana Back to Question

Question 3: What major economic event was set off because of Columbus’ discovery of the New World? A. Trade with India B. Columbian Exchange C. The English Reformation D. The American Revolution

Notable Names Christopher Columbus- A Spanish explorer who took a voyage to find a new route to India in 1492. He landed on a small island in the Bahamas, which he named San Salvador. He returned to Spain with his new discovery and started what became known as the Columbian Exchange, a grand era of trade and commerce between the Old World and the New World. Back to Question

Question 4: Why did the Puritans come to the New World? A. religious freedom B. fur trading C. gold mining D. over-population

The Discovery of America