Europe Discovers the New World

Europe Discovers the New World The chapter covers European discovery and exploration of the New World and the impact of Europeans on the Native American population.

The Age of Discovery • The first European in North America - Viking Leif Ericson (1000 A.D.) • Originated Greenland • Settled in Newfoundland, Canada (returned to Greenland years later) • Age of Discovery (AOD)– period when European nations began looking for their own direct route to the Far East. • Prior to the AOD, Europeans believed the world consisted of only 3 continents - Europe, Asia, & Africa

Far East – A region of SE Asia (India, China, & Japan). AKA – Indies. • Source of highly prized goods including (silk, spices, teas, & gems). • The only accessible route, prior to AOD, was through Muslim controlled land & sea routes (not good)

Leaders of Exploration • Portugal is the outright leader in Exploration. They have already explored the western coast of Africa. • Greek scholars theorized the earth was round • Geographers – the world is round • ? – Would it be possible to find a shorter route to the east by sailing west? • Answer – YES! – Christopher Columbus

Columbus Discovers the New World • Columbus – Italian • Believed only an ocean separated Europe from the Indies. • Sought support to prove his answer from King John of Portugal – turned down (preferred an eastern route) • Spoke with King Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain – approved – financed exploration . • Oct. 12, 1492 – after 6 weeks at sea the crews landed on what they thought were part of the Indies. • Because of the dark skin of the natives Columbus called them “Indians”

Columbus’ concept of the New World This is the perceived boundaries of N & S America

Where was he really? • Columbus landed on a Caribbean Island in the Bahamas Archipelago – Named his discovery San Salvador • Never found silk, spices, or riches • Believed he had discovered the western route to the Indies • Prior to his death, Columbus made four trips to the west believing each time he had reached the Far East. Cuba

One special guest • An Italian businessman, explorer and cartographer was the first person to demonstrate that the New World discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492 was not the eastern appendage of Asia, but rather a previously-unknown "fourth" continent . • Several theories exist about the naming – 1507, Swiss mapmaker applied a different name to the New World – calling it America after Amerigo Vespucci. • Soon other Explorers discovered that “America was not just one continent but 2.

Spanish Claims in the New World • Portugal was considered to have the best exploration crews in the world – so it upset them when they heard of Columbus’ success in one attempt. • Fearing the start of a rivalry, Pope Alexander VI (head of the Catholic Church) issued a decree (document) dividing the rights to the New World between Spain and Portugal. • Decree – 400 miles west of the Azores (islands) an imaginary line would be drawn North and South of the Poles – Line of Demarcation.

Line of Demarcation Treaty of Tordesillas • All lands to the east of this line would be claimed by Portugal • All lands to the west of this line would be claimed by Spain What country is this?

Discussion on the Line • Portugal believed the line favored Spain and tried to negotiate a new line • The next year (1494) the Treaty of Tordesillas was signed which shifted the line 700 miles further west. • Results – protected Portugal’s shipping interest around Africa but still left most of the New World to Spain. • One territory would be left to the Possession of Portugal

English Claims in the New World • Line of Demarcation exist between Spain and Portugal but what about other European nations. • France and England refused to accept the division and prepared to make their own exploration. • In 1497, John Cabot sailed from England to the NE coast of North America • In 1498, Cabot made a 2nd exploration possibly sailing as far south as the Carolinas, Georgia or even Northern Florida.

Discovery Frustrations • England claims the Eastern seaboard – claiming that Cabot’s voyage gave them the rights to it. • Because England was not a Catholic nation they rejected the decree from the Pope that North America belonged to Spain • Also refused to accept the Treaty of Tordesillas.

The Right of First Discovery • Spain’s reply to England’s claims – the Right of First Discovery (a country could claim those lands its explorers found first. • ? – How much land could an explorer claim? • ? – How long could they claim it for? • England proposes a 2nd standard – any first discovery claims had to be followed by actual occupation • It wasn’t enough to plant a flag • Settlers and Soldiers from the explorers country must follow and colonize (occupy & control) the land. • What about the Native Americans? Europeans agreed New World claims did not require Native American permission

Spain Comes to the Southeast • In the New World, Spain hoped to convert the Natives, Expand its Empire, and discover new riches (GOD, GLORY, and GOLD). • At first, the Spanish concentrated in the West Indies (Caribbean), Central America, and Northern South America. • But soon stories of cities of gold to the north – influenced them to travel.

Ponce de Leon • 1st Spanish explorer to set foot on the soil of what is today the U.S. was Juan Ponce de Leon. • He was searching for riches, adventure, and the legendary fountain of youth – located somewhere north of Cuba. • April 1573, Ponce de Leon came ashore to what he thought was an island, he really landed on the Florida coast (near present day St. Augustine) • He named his “island” Isla Florida (Island of Flowers) • 8 years later Ponce returned to the western coast of Florida where he and his crew were attacked – Ponce would die from his injuries. • Spain wanted to see their La Florida succeed so they sent other explorers. • The Settlement included what is today Florida, GA, SC, AL, & MS.

First European Settlement in North America • Many historians believed the 1st European settlement since the Vikings occurred along the coast of Georgia. • Believed it happened 14 years before DeSoto’s expedition through Georgia in 1540. • A Spanish lawyer, Lucas Vazquez de Ayllon is believed to have established the first European settlement in North America • 60 years before Roanoke Island, eighty years before James Town and almost a century before the "Mayflower " landed at Plymouth Rock

Lucas Vazquez de Ayllon • 1504 a Spanish lawyer, Lucas Vazquez de Ayllon was appointed a judgeship on the Caribbean Island of Hispaniola. • Owner of a Sugar Cane Plantation • Worked by Indian Slaves • Slaves died from Disease and other reasons • Ayllon began searching for new slaves • On one expedition landed on present day SC – asked for permission to explore and colonize La Florida

San Miguel de Gualdape • September 29, 1526 Ayllon’s colonist sailed to present day McIntosh County, GA unloaded and began constructing a new Settlement of San Miguel de Gualdape (doomed colony) • Winter came early • Ayllon died 10 days after arriving • Illness and death followed for the others • Revolt broke out because of fear • African slaves rebelled • Indians rose up against the colonist • Settlement abandoned and only 150 returned to Hispaniola.

As a result of exploration; so began the Columbian Exchange -> which eventually leads to mercantilism.

Hernando de Soto Explores Georgia • 1537 – asked King of Spain for permission to colonize La Florida • Given 16 months to explore, 600 miles inland from the FL coast • Look for riches and conquer hostile Indians • In return he would be given a title, land, and a portion of the colony’s profits. • 1538 – sailed from Spain to Cuba • Spent a year preparing for the expedition • 1539 – sailed to North American mainland, landing on FL western coast • Spent winter near Tallahassee then headed north into GA • March 1540 – entered GA • Encountered chiefdoms from the Mississippian Period

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Death and Disappointment • Became a journey of death and disappointment • Food was a problem • Stole from Indians • Had to eat dogs • Four year search yielded practically no gold or silver • Almost ½ of the expedition died from disease, exposure, Indian attacks or other causes.

De Soto’s Impact on the Indians • Never seen guns, steel, metal armor or horses • They had weapons of stone & wood • Were unsuccessful at defending themselves • Many were killed or forced into slavery • Exposed to European disease such as measles, chicken pox, or small pox (killed 1:3 Indians)

French Claims in the Southeast • France is the 3rd European Nation to enter the race for North America. • In 1524, Giovanni de Verrazano sailed for France • Believed he could sail westward from Europe to Asia. • First came ashore on the Carolina coast, or possibly even as far south as GA or FL. • He then sailed north up the east coast to Nova Scotia before returning home. • France later used Verrazano’s exploration as a basis for its claims to the southeast.

Huguenots • Huguenots are French Protestants lead by Jean Ribault (Jahn Re-bow). In 1562, landed on Florida’s coast and sailed northward looking for a place to settle. • They found their spot just north of Savannah on a protected inlet they named Port Royal • Constructed the first European on the North American mainland – Charles Fort • Because of famine and other hardships the Huguenots were forced to abandon the settlement

France v. Spain • 1564, a second group of Huguenots arrived in Spanish Florida. At the mouth of the St. Johns River they built Fort Caroline. • Catholic Spain was OUTRAGED! • The French were not only building on Spanish soil but they were raiding Spanish ships. • Spain moved quickly to push the French Huguenots out. • 1565, Pedro Menendez and a large force of soldier sailed from Spain to quickly drive out the French and begin to colonize La Florida. • Menendez made a surprise attack on Fort Carolina captured the French fort and executed the Huguenot defenders.

Spanish Settlements in La Florida • Menendez founded St. Augustine - Spain’s first successful settlement on the North American continent • Important military and political base in La Florida • Protect Spanish treasure ships using the Gulf Stream to speed their return home.

Spanish Missions in La Florida • Since Spain was a Catholic nation it was their duty as good Catholics to help convert the Indians into loyal Christian subjects. To do this Spain built missions (church outposts) along the Atlantic and gulf coast. • Church missionaries, known as friars, lived and worked with the Indians at these outposts. • Missions, not forts, were the key to Spain’s plan to prepare the SE for colonization. The missions were built at the village of an important local chief • Instructed on religion, social behavior, read/write, farming techniques, and provided a place to trade. • Georgia’s coast was divided into two Spanish provinces • Guale (Wal-lee) – located in the North • Mocama – located in the South

Guale and Mocama • Guale (Wallee) consisted of the coastal area between the Savannah and Altamaha rivers • Mocama included the area between the Altamaha and St. Marys river.

Juanillo Rebellion • In 1597, Don Juanillo, a Guale Indian was next in line to become chief. Juanillo had two wives a practice that the Spanish missionaries tried in vain to change. • One of the friars declared Juanillo unfit to become chief and named another tribal member the next leader. • Juanillo was furious. What right did the Spanish friars have the power to say who should be chief? • In reaction, Juanillo killed the friar and who denied him his chiefdom. Juanillo then called for the other chiefs in Guale to revolt against the Spanish missionaries. The friars with no weapons were killed one by one. • Finally, on Cumberland Island, Mocama Indians (supporters of the Spanish) turned back the uprising. The Juanillo Rebellion was over but not before 5 missionaries were executed. • Recent archaeological digs on St. Catherine’s Island have revealed the remains of over 400 Native Americans. Religious artifacts buried with the bodies suggests Catholic influence on these coastal Indians.

England Comes to North America • England is famous for its fleet of fast ships and the Spanish Armada ships were slower and larger. • During the 16th century (1500s) Spain grew rich and powerful because of its dominance in the New World. • England was concerned about its future and economic stake in the New World • Spain refused to share; England begins raiding Spanish ships and settlements • Sir Francis Drake attacked/burned St. Augustine • 20 year struggle between Spain and Britain -> resulted in a treaty giving England some claim to North America. • Using Cabot’s journeys, King James prepared plans to establish colonies.

England’s claims continued. • King James will issue a charter (legal document) to some merchants for a new colony in America • His merchants will take the name Virginia Company • In 1607, James Town (Jamestown) became England’s first permanent settlement in America • Result of treaty and royal greed – Within 100 years, England will have colonized most of the eastern seaboard.

England’s desire for wanting more… • Competition with other countries for power and glory • By being the 1st to establish permanent colonies, England would win over rival countries. • Economic Gain • Colonies had the potential to provide resources that would benefit England. • Policy of mercantilism • Most successful product of mercantilism • Sweet tobacco originally from West Indies but transplanted to Virginia were it grew very well.

Final reason… • England was over populated with poor, homeless, and unemployed • New colonies provided a home for the poor to give them hope for the future • Colonies could also serve as a home for those who wanted to practice their religion without discrimination • Puritans (Church of England) change policy • Separatists - break away from the Church of England • Pilgrims – landed off the coast of Cape Cod in 1620 • Before leaving they signed the Mayflower Compact • Became the basis for the ideas of government by consent of the people.

Types of Colonies • England’s American colonies took 1 of 3 forms • In a Corporate Colony king gave a grant of land to a corporation to settle a new colony in America within the colony existed a joint-stock company the company assumed all costs for the colony through the sale of stock. (Virgina) • Proprietary Colony is where the king issued a charter granting ownership of the colony to a person or group (Quakers in PA) • Royal Colony is a colony operated directly by the English government through royal governor appointed by the king. (No colony started but most finished this way)

Sir Robert Montgomery • The first serious proposal came in 1717 • Wanted to settle the land between the Savannah & Altamaha Rivers, at his own expense • Called the land “the most delightful country of the universe” • Proposed name of the settlement Azilia • Sought to produce silk, wine & other products • Main purpose – buffer to protect South Carolina from Spanish, French & Indian attacks • Unable to raise money; enlist colonies; plans for buffer colony postponed

John Barnwell As a result, other proposals soon followed… • Jean Pierre Purry (proposal failed) but his name suggestion would survive • Proposed two names • Georgine • Georgia • Wrote to Britain to build a series of torts at various sites to the south and west of Carolina’s frontier • 1st outpost (Fort King George) built near the mouth of Altamaha River • Spain protested • Other factors doomed colony • Sickness • Climate • Insects • Outpost Abandoned

James Oglethorpe • Member of British Parliament • Known for his work on prison reform • Freed people from jails for not paying their debts • 1732, Oglethorpe/supporters convinced King George II to approve a new colony south of Savannah River That colony would be Georgia!

Europe Discovers the New World