Advance History Unit 1

1. Advance History Unit 1 III. Early Explorers

2. Who discovered America? • Columbus sailed the ocean blue. • Anyone else?

3. L’Anse aux Meadows • In about 1,000 AD, Scandanavian Vikings founded a settlement in present day Newfoundland and called it Vineland. • Leif Erikson – Son of Erik the Red • Was forgotten except in song and oral history (ethnohistory)

4. Christopher Columbus • One of the most successful failures ever? • Explain? • Told no by England, Venice, Portugal • Kind Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile – defeated the Moors of Granada • Isabella took the risk

5. Other Explorers • Balboa 1513 - Panama • Ponce de Leon 1513 – Florida and Fountain of Life • Cortes 1519 – Mexico – took Mexico City (Tenochtitlan, 300,000 people) • De Soto – Mississippi – brutal – died and hid body • Coronado 1540 – New Mexico – searched for 7 cities of gold

6. Why we speak English • Queen Elizabeth becomes Queen of England in 1559. • England was going through the Protestant Reformation – a break up from the dominant Catholic Church. • Spain was the leading supporter of Catholicism and the Inquisition – the defense of the Protestant Reformation. • Spain had grown so rich from the gold in the New World, amassed an armada to conquer England and bring Catholicism back. • England had no navy so they “privatized” pirates called “sea dogs” Sir Walter Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh

7. Sir Francis Drake • Born poor • Apprentice to a merchant ship at age 12 – inherited the ship • Age 23 – first sailings • Two slave expeditions and one against Ireland. • Hated Spanish – stole tons of gold from them for England • Very Daring – Pirate and a Sea Dog • Second person (Magellan) to circumnavigate the world – 6 ships started one finished 4000% profit. (two Spanish ships). • Knighted by Elizabeth and made Vice Admiral • Was bowling in 1588 when Spanish Armada was sighted – said he had time to finish game and beat Spanish later. • The Prayer of Sir Francis Drake

8. Sir Walter Raleigh • Elizabeth like him much • He founded Virginia – named after Elizabeth • First Colony failed – Roanoke Island in North Carolina • Secretly married a lady-in-waiting of the Queen and when it was found out, had both arrested. He was released to help with the Spanish Armada victory. • He led the “fireship” attack on the Armada that broke the Spanish. • Later captured a Spanish ship full of gold and his wife was released. • Helped bring tobacco and potates to Europe • Protected by Elizabeth – until she died….

9. Spanish Armada • King Phillip of Spain mad at England because of the Reformation and the Sea Dogs “pirates” taking his gold – attempted to attack and conquer England in 1588. • Several “battles” over months resulted in eventual Spanish defeat and a storm sunk over 2/3 of the Spanish fleet. (Drake looted pay ship) • Left England as the defacto Navy power until WWII.

10. What happened to Drake and Raleigh • Drake continued his raiding ways and off the cost of Panama at age 55 he died of dysentary. • He was buried at sea in a lead coffin – still looking for it. • Raleigh was protected by the Queen until her death in 1603. Later implicated in a plot to replace the king and imprisoned for treason (12 years) but not executed as really no evidence. Released and led a failed expedition against Spain in America. The Spanish argued and to appease them Raleigh was beheaded. Had chances to escape but said he was too old.

11. Why important? • Drake and Raleigh instrumental in breaking Spanish naval power and allowing England to be the country that settle North America. • Settlements – and tobacco first cash crop (John Rolfe)