The Explorers of the New World Amerigo Vespucci

The Explorers of the New World

Amerigo Vespucci • Italian explorer sailed for both Spain and Portugal • Explored the West Coast of South America • Recognized this was a new continent and published a book with his maps • America is named for him

Vasco Nunez de Balboa • Attempts to cross America via the isthmus of Panama • Isthmus a narrow straight of land • Land expidition of 45 miles across Panama • One of the most dangerous exploration of the period • 1 st European to see the Pacific Ocean

Trans World Voyages

Ferdinand Magellan • 1519 – Sails for Spain • Magellan is Portuguese • Mission was to find a route to Asia using the water system discovered by Balboa • Magellan sails around S. America through the Straits of Magellan (Roughest seas in the world) • Magellan names the Pacific b/c it was peaceful • Dies in the ____ • His crew returns to Spain in 1522 – Only 18 were left – 1 st ship to travel around the world

Magellan 1519 -1522

Francis Drake • British explorer and privateer in the 16 th century • Sent to explore for the Northwest Passge, claim new land for Britain, and raid Spanish cities on South America’s west coast – Hero to the British, despised by Spanish • Called him “El Dragon” • Drake was the 1 st person to explore the west coast of the Americas • Golden Hind was his ship • 1 st captain to sail around the world and survive

Drake - 1577

America’s (US) Drake Site • On the coast of California • Called “Drake’s Beach” • Drake spent 5 weeks there repairing his ship • He landed there because it reminded him of home – Cliffs of Dover

Northwest Passage • Believed to be sea route to Asia farther North through the Western Hemisphere – Present day Canada • Sought by the French • 2 Voyages – Jacques Cartier – Giovanni de Verrazano • Eventually found by Roald Amundsen (1904) – Only open 6 months a year

Di Verrazano and Cartier • Sails for the British • Explores the Atlantic Coast of U. S. (New York to N. Carolina) • Claims land for Britain • Jacques Cartier – sails through the St. Lawrence River and claims Canada for France

John Cabot • Born in Italy (Giovanni Cabatto) 1497 • Moves to England sails for the British (changes his name) • Sails to New Foundland claims it for Britain – All the coastal islands of Canada will be British • Disappears on his second voyage