0. Oklahoma: Land of Contrasts
Chapter 4:
European Quest for New Land
Study Presentation
©2006 Clairmont Press

1. Chapter 4: European Quest for New Land
Section 1: Early European Explorers
Section 2: European-Indian Contact

2. Section 1: Early European Explorers
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
What factors encouraged Europeans to explore in the New World?

3. Section 1: Early European Explorers
What words do I need to know?
1. middlemen
2. expedition
3. cartographer
4. Northwest Passage
5. isthmus
6. conquistador
7. skirmish
8. missionary
9. colony
10. alliance

4. Section 1: Early European Explorers
PREVIEW
Check out the headings and subheadings
Examine the pictures and read the captions

5. Section 1: Early European Explorers
Scandinavian Vikings were possibly the first Europeans to visit the Americas
Leif Ericsson set foot in what became North America in 1001 A.D.
Established a settlement called Vinland (in eastern Canada)
Vikings may have been in eastern Oklahoma in 1012 A.D.

6. Section 1: Early European Explorers
The Search for New Trade Routes
Christopher Columbus
Other Early Explorers
Spain in the New World
Francisco Vásquez de Coronado
Juan de Padilla
Hernando de Soto
Juan de Oñate
France in the New World
La Salle
La Harpe
Other French Explorers
England in the New World

7. The Search for New Trade Routes
1400s: European countries seeking new trade routes to the Orient after centuries
Treasured Oriental silk, perfumes, drugs, gold, jewels, dyes, teas, & spices (pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves)
Shorter route to Far East: eventually landed on the South & North American continents

8. Christopher Columbus
Italian sea captain
Believed best route to the Far East lay to the west
Estimated distance from Portugal to Japan less than 3,000 miles
August 3, 1492: set sail (headed West) from Palos on the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria
October 12, 1492: landed on an island near San Salvador
Made four voyages to the New World

9. 1497: John Cabot landed in Newfoundland
Other Early Explorers
1497: John Cabot landed in Newfoundland
First European given credit for reaching the North American mainland
Vasco da Gama: discovered sea route to India around Africa
Magellan: responsible for the 1st expedition to circle the globe

10. Ponce de Leon (1513): landed in what is now Florida
Spain in the New World
Ponce de Leon (1513): landed in what is now Florida
Balboa: crossed the Isthmus of Panama to reach the Pacific Ocean
Cortés (1519): landed in present-day Mexico & (1521) conquered Aztecs
Nárvaez (1527): unsuccessful expedition to the Cape of Florida – led to his death

11. Francisco Vásquez de Coronado
“Seven Cities of Cibola”: false reports of houses of gold & turquoise enticed Mendoza
Coronado (appointed by Mendoza): led expedition (1000 men, 1500 horses & mules, and numbers of cattle & sheep)
Financial disaster – yet territory claimed for Spanish empire
Coronado & troops: followed a route through Oklahoma Panhandle

12. An ordained priest with Coronado expedition
Juan de Padilla
An ordained priest with Coronado expedition
Did missionary efforts among the Indians
He and his group warmly received at Quivira
Padilla eventually ambushed – killed by Kaw Indians
Padilla’s helpers vowed to carry a wooden cross across Oklahoma to the Gulf Coast (do Campo route)

13. Led 1539 expedition: 700 men, over 200 horses, dogs, and equipment
Hernando de Soto
Led 1539 expedition: 700 men, over 200 horses, dogs, and equipment
Explored Florida & other areas in the Southeast
1542: wintered on the Arkansas River (died same year)
Added to Spain’s land claims north of Mexico
Brought diseases to Indians

14. 1595: charged with settling New Mexico – mainly to spread Catholicism
Juan de Oñate
1595: charged with settling New Mexico – mainly to spread Catholicism
1598: established San Juan de lost Cabelleros (first Spanish settlement in Nuevo Mexico)
1601: more legends of gold brought Oñate to Oklahoma
Helped open the door to the multitude of changes to come

15. French: looking for furs & trade Bartered for food, furs, and more
France in the New World
French: looking for furs & trade
Bartered for food, furs, and more
Founded Quebec
Did not try to conquer Indians
Treated Indians with more respect
Did seek fabled route through the continent
1673: Jolliet & Marquette – expedition down Mississippi River

16. Desired to set up trading posts down the Mississippi River
La Salle
Desired to set up trading posts down the Mississippi River
Claimed land drained by Mississippi River for King Louis XIV of France
Murdered by frightened & frustrated colonists
His claim led to the first French colony – eventual exploration of Oklahoma

17. Explored much of eastern Oklahoma
La Harpe
Jean Baptiste Bernard de la Harpe – established a trading post along the Red River
Explored much of eastern Oklahoma
Was impressed with the Indian nations and their lifestyle
Also impressed with the land
Established trading partners with the Indians & beginning of French trade

18. Other French Explorers
French: placed importance on Oklahoma
Mid-1700s: French explorers – Pierre-Antoine & Paul Mallet and Andre Fabre de la Bruyere
Early French influence evident in names of rivers, geographical features, and communities in eastern Oklahoma & surnames found in Oklahoma families

19. England in the New World
John Cabot (1497): provided England’s claim to North America
1588: Spanish Armada’s defeat by England further ensured English dominance of New World
Unsuccessful attempts to find fabled Northwest Passage
By end of 1600s twelve English colonies along Atlantic Coast
Indian life affected by Europeans
Click here to return to Main Menu.

20. Section 2: European-Indian Contact
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
What were the effects on Indians of contact with Europeans?

21. Section 2: European-Indian Contact
What words do I need to know?
economy
calumet
immunity

22. Section 2: European-Indian Contact
PREVIEW
Check out the headings and subheadings
Examine the pictures and read the captions

23. Horse Sense
Horses: an immediate & significant impact on Indian life
Called “magic dogs” & “wonder dogs”
Updated the Indians & allowed more permanent villages
Extended the range of Indian life and adventure

24. Plants
Included maize (corn), beans, potatoes, squash, pumpkins, cacao, tomatoes, bell peppers, peanuts, passion fruit, sunflowers, & almost 50 varieties of berries
Indians, for thousands of years, grew, chewed, and smoked tobacco – it became a major export to Europe

25. Europeans: brought diseases to Indians
In Mexico: as many as 9 million out of 10 million may have died from diseases and/or battle
Smallpox: deadliest to all Indians
Immunity too late to rebuild Indian population prior to being conquered
Click here to return to Main Menu.

26. Click here to return to Main Menu.