EARLY EXPLORERS TO THE NEW WORLD LEIF ERICSON

EARLY EXPLORERS TO THE NEW WORLD

LEIF ERICSON

Where did I come from? • sailed north from the southern tip of Greenland to Newfoundland in the year 1000

Why did I explore North America? • Vikings needed more land to settle their growing population

What were the results of my exploration? • Viking explorer who led expeditions to North America

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS

Where did I come from? • born in Italy • always wanted to sail the seas

Why did I explore North America? • wanted to tell the story of Christ to the people in the far-away lands and become wealthy • sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492 for Spain to find route to India to trade for spices

What were the results of my exploration? • first European to explore the Caribbean Islands

Juan Ponce de La Leon

Where did I come from? • Juan Ponce de Leon was born in Spain and sailed with Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the new world.

Why did I explore North America? • After sailing with Columbus, de Leon heard of gold and a “fountain of youth”. • He explored hoping to find both and to conquer land. He never found the fountain of youth.

What were the results of my exploration? • Claimed Florida for Spain

John Cabot

Where did I come from? • Was a merchant in Venice, Italy. • Skilled navigator

Why did I explore? • wanted to trade with Asia for spices • Like Columbus thought the best way to get to Asia was to sail west • Merchants in England sponsored his trip to find faster route to the INdies

What were the results of my exploration? • Claimed eastern coast of Canada for England

HENRY HUDSON

Where did I come from? • English explorer and navigator

Why did I explore North America? • hired by the Dutch East India Company in 1609 (Holland) to find waterway route to Asia

What were the results of my exploration? • explored a river named for himself , the Hudson River • claimed area, now New York City, for Holland in 1609

HERNANDO CORTEZ

Where did I come from? • adventurer and conquistador from Spain

Why did I explore North America? • sailed with 11 ships from Cuba to the Yucatan Peninsula to look for gold, silver, and other treasures

What were the results of my exploration? • conquered the Aztec Empire and claimed Mexico for Spain 1519 -21

JACQUES CARTIER

Where did I come from? • French explorer who led three expeditions to Canada 1634 -41

Why did I explore North America? • looking for a route to the Pacific through North America (a Northwest Passage)

What were the results of my exploration? • first European to reach the inland of Canada and named the entire region Canada

HERNANDO de SOTO

Where did I come from? • Spanish explorer who sailed the Atlantic Ocean

Why did I explore North America? • searching for gold and silver

What were the results of my exploration? • explored the southeastern United States and was the first European to see the Mississippi River

FRANCISCO CORONADO

Where did I come from? • Spanish ruler, explorer and conquistador

Why did I explore North America? • searched for treasures that were rumored to exist in northern Mexico • Wrote to King of Spain of “shaggy cows” (buffalo) on the plains

What were the results of my exploration? • Searched for the Seven Cities of Gold • first European to explore North America's Southwest.

Robert de La Salle

Where did I come from? • La Salle was a French nobleman

Why did I explore North America? • Personal wealth • Fur trading posts with Native Americans • Land/settlements for France

What were the results of my exploration? • Named region by Mississippi River Louisiana after the French King • Established sea route from France to the Mississippi River • Founded a colony on what is now the coast of Texas

THE COLUMBIAN EXCHANGE • Transfer of animals, plants, and diseases between the Old and New World • result of the Age of Exploration

THE COLUMBIAN EXCHANGE • Name “Columbian” comes from Christopher Columbus’ first voyage that began contact with New World • Forever changed the culture for Europeans and the Americas

EXAMPLES

EXPLORER CHECK UP 1. Leif Ericson 5. Christopher Columbus 2. Hernando Cortez 6. Francisco Coronado 3. Jacques Cartier 7. Hernando de Soto 4. Henry Hudson Conquered the Aztec Empire Led Viking expeditions to North America Claimed land for Holland river named after him First European to explore Caribbean Islands Explored southeastern U. S. and first to see Mississippi River Searched for the seven cities of gold in southwestern N. America French explorer and first European to reach inland Canada