European Exploration Reading Notes Spain sent explorers such

European Exploration Reading Notes

Spain sent explorers, such as Columbus, Cortes and Pizzaro, to explore and claim lands. Most Spanish settlers searched for gold. Indians died from European diseases. Slave traders imported enslaved Africans as laborers. New World: the name Europeans called North and South America because these lands were new to them.

The Spanish treated the Indians harshly. Cortes & Pizarro conquered and took gold from the Aztec and Inca Indians. Europeans brought diseases that killed many Indians.

Ponce de Leon and Coronado explored and claimed land for Spain. Spanish soldiers built presidios (forts) to protect their claimed lands. Catholic priests built missions to convert Indians to Christianity.

Spain Goals: find western route to Asia, find riches (gold), establish colonies Treatment of Indians: mostly harsh, violent Results: • Indians learned to use new tools, grow new foods, and raise Found riches, established colonies, no livestock (sheep, cows, horses…) • Spanish learned new ways to grow crops. western route found • Spanish treated the Indians harshly. • Many Indians dies from European diseases.

Color the Spanish claimed lands on your map.

French explorers, such as Cartier and de La Salle, claimed lands in Canada, along the Mississippi River, and in Louisiana. Fur trappers, called coureurs de bois, and missionaries came to New France to get rich and convert Indians to Christianity.

France GOALS: • find the northwest passage to Asia • Start trade with Indians • Establish colonies • The French became business partners with the Indians, especially the Huron. • European diseases killed many Indians. Treatment of Indians: friendly, trading partners Results: started trade, established colonies, no northwest passage found.

Color the French claimed lands on your map.

Hudson and Minuit explored and claimed land on the east coast of North America for the Dutch. • Started a fur trade with Indians. • The Dutch colony was taken over by English and renamed New York.

Netherlands GOALS: • find the northwest passage to Asia • Start trade with Indians • Establish colonies The Dutch were mostly friendly with their Indian neighbors, especially the Iroquois. Treatment of Indians: mostly friendly, trading partners Results: started trade, lost control of colonies, no northwest passage found.

Color the Dutch and English claimed lands on your map. (We learn about the English in detail next week. )