Reasons for European Exploration Reasons for Explorations Social

Reasons for European Exploration

Reasons for Explorations Social Spread Christianity (God) and to interact with their like-minded groups Political Expand Empire (Glory) Economics Gold (Precious Metals)

Why did Europeans sail across the sea? 1. Find a shorter route to Asia – Look for a Northwest Passage – a route through North America to get to Asia. – What is in Asia? spices, gold, TRADE!

Why did Europeans sail across the sea? 2. Seeking to trade & make money – French & Dutch wanted to trade FUR – Dutch started fur trading with Native American Indians. 3. Spread Christianity / Religion 4. Curiosity – desire to see new places 5. Fame – become well-known 6. Expanding European Empire make Europe even bigger 7. Seek gold & riches - $$$$$ MONEY

Spain

1492 Areas Claimed: Southwest USA Florida West Indies Spain

Why did Columbus leave? To look for: – All water route west to Asia – Faster – Spices, salt, silks, gold Relationship/Impact Native Americans: Took natives as slaves and to convert natives to Christianity Explorers claim land for their country taking it from the natives Explorers believed they were bringing civilization to uncivilized people ( often natives were labeled as savages)

Columbus’ 1 st Voyage

England

England Northeast USA Area Claimed: East of the Appalachian Mountains 1607

Relationship with Native Americans: Helped the colonists to survive (Pilgrims) Colonists took native lands and even killed them over land food

Reasons for Colonizing: England wanted to find gold, but instead found tobacco (Jamestown) Established (Plymouth) for religious freedom Wanted to find a navigable river

France

Area Claimed: France Quebec in Canada St. Lawrence River Mississippi River in the USA

Relationship with Native Americans: Treated the Native Americans with respect Did not require the natives to convert to Christianity Learned the Native Americans languages and cultures

Reasons for colonizing: Wanted to increase the supply of gold Instead traded fur (Gold) Did not require the Native Americans to convert to Christianity Wanted to expand their empire to search for the Northwest Passage

Triangular Trade Midd le Passa ge

The Middle Passage Slaves coming to Americas u Europeans began bringing Africans to the Americas for slave labor in early 1500’s. Brought to U. S. (English) colonies in 1619 u Middle passage – long voyage of slave ships from Africa to the Americas. (across the Atlantic Ocean). u Estimated around 2 million Africans died during the middle passage.

Summary – Reasons for Exploring Reasons for colonizing America