1. THE AGE OF EXPLORATION Essential Questions:
What was the impact of European contact on Native American cultures?
What were the interests of the Spanish, English, and French in the southeast area of North America?

2. Christopher Columbus – 1492
SPANISH EXPLORATION
Christopher Columbus – 1492
Sailed for Spanish monarchs, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in search of westward route to Far East.
Believed he reached the Indes; names the native people Indians.
Although he never sets foot on the mainland of the continent of North America, his voyage opens up the New World for further European exploration.

3. What were the goals of Spanish explorers?
Gold: To acquire riches for themselves and the country they represent. (Some explorers, like Columbus, were not Spanish, but represented Spain.
Glory: To bring power and prestige to Spain.
God: To convert the native people to Christianity.

4. The First G: Gold
Gold was a hot item that explorers were looking for, but remember that it is really wealth, not just literal gold that explorers were after.
Europe needed gold (and silver) to fuel the rising banking system
Europeans also desired spices (Da Gama’s voyage to India made him a 3000% profit!)
Other natural resources would come to be sold for profit as well (timber, sugar, tobacco, ivory, etc.)
This competition will be enhanced by the idea of mercantilism that emerges, the idea that there is only so much wealth in the world, and that to make your kingdom strong you must have more gold and wealth than the other kingdoms

5. The second G: Glory
Just like the first G, Gold, Glory was a relatively new idea in Europe
Came out of the Renaissance ideal of Humanism, and the focus on individual achievement
With the rise of the printing press, the idea of gaining fame for one’s actions was more possible
Also, individual kings wanted glory for their kingdoms, competition spreads
The Triumph of Fame, a Flemish tapestry from 1502.

6. The third G: God
Europeans had always seen spreading Christianity as a good thing
Especially after the Reformation, competition will spring up
Colonization will become a race to convert native peoples to a particular brand of Christianity

7. The Amazing Race Through Georgia
Read the account of DeSoto’s journey through Georgia atDeSoto's Journey Through Georgia
Complete the statements on your handout.
Plot the places and label them on your maps.

8. DeSoto’s Exploration of Georgia
Read more about DeSoto’s journeys at these sites:

9. Gold, Glory, and God
Read about the motives for Spanish exploration of the “New World” at this site:

10. Spanish Missions in Georgia
Read about the establishment of Spanish missions in what is today Georgia at on the link for the “List of Spanish Missions” at the right side of this page. Label the missions on St. Simon’s, Cumberland, & St. Catherine’s Islands on your map.

11. Spain, France, and England Vie For Land in the New World
Complete your chart of the rivalry among Spain, France, and England for territory in the “New World” using information found at the following websites.

12. European Rivalry (continued)

13. European Rivalry (continued)

14. What was the impact of European exploration on the Indians?
Read the articles about the Columbian Exchange and complete the questions about this.
The list of items exchanged found at this site will also be helpful: