1. Early Exploration Columbus Crosses the Atlantic

2. Seeking New Trade Route The maps that Columbus and the first European explorers used did not include America. The maps that Columbus and the first European explorers used did not include America. They showed 3 continents – Europe, Asia and Africa. They showed 3 continents – Europe, Asia and Africa. Portugal wanted to find a new route to China and India. Portugal wanted to find a new route to China and India.

3. Columbus Crosses the Atlantic Christopher Columbus thought he could reach Asia by sailing west. Christopher Columbus thought he could reach Asia by sailing west. Queen Isabella of Spain financed Christopher Columbus’s expedition for 2 reasons: Queen Isabella of Spain financed Christopher Columbus’s expedition for 2 reasons: He promised to bring Christianity to and lands he found. He promised to bring Christianity to and lands he found. If he found a way to Asia, Spain would become very wealthy. If he found a way to Asia, Spain would become very wealthy. She promised Columbus a share of any riches gained from lands he discovered on his way to Asia. She promised Columbus a share of any riches gained from lands he discovered on his way to Asia.

4. Columbus’s First Voyage In 1492, Columbus set our from Palos, Spain. In 1492, Columbus set our from Palos, Spain. He had 2 small ships, the Nina and the Pinta, and a larger one, the Santa Maria, carrying a total of about 90 sailors. He had 2 small ships, the Nina and the Pinta, and a larger one, the Santa Maria, carrying a total of about 90 sailors. 2 months later the crew had spotted a small island, part of the group now called the Bahamas. 2 months later the crew had spotted a small island, part of the group now called the Bahamas. Columbus claimed the island for Spain, and named it San Salvador. Columbus claimed the island for Spain, and named it San Salvador. Although he did not know it, Columbus had reached the Americas. Although he did not know it, Columbus had reached the Americas.

6. Columbus’s First Voyage Columbus explored the area for several months, convinced he had reached the East Indies, the islands off the coast of Asia. Columbus explored the area for several months, convinced he had reached the East Indies, the islands off the coast of Asia. Columbus called the local people Indians. Columbus called the local people Indians.

7. Columbus’s Later Voyages Columbus made three more voyages from Spain. Columbus made three more voyages from Spain. He claimed present-day Haiti, Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Jamaica for Spain and established settlements. He claimed present-day Haiti, Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Jamaica for Spain and established settlements. In time their voyages led to the establishment of the Spanish Empire in the Americas. In time their voyages led to the establishment of the Spanish Empire in the Americas.

8. Dividing the World Both Spain and Portugal wanted to protect their claims, and they turned to Pope Alexander VI for help. Both Spain and Portugal wanted to protect their claims, and they turned to Pope Alexander VI for help. In 1493 the pope drew a line of demarcation, and imaginary line running down the middle of the Atlantic from the North Pole to the South Pole. In 1493 the pope drew a line of demarcation, and imaginary line running down the middle of the Atlantic from the North Pole to the South Pole. Spain was to control all the lands to the west of the line. Spain was to control all the lands to the west of the line. Portugal was to have control of all lads to the east of the line. Portugal was to have control of all lads to the east of the line.

9. Dividing the World Spain protested that the division favored Spain. Spain protested that the division favored Spain. In 1494 the two countries signed the Treaty of Tordesillas, and agreement to move the line farther west. In 1494 the two countries signed the Treaty of Tordesillas, and agreement to move the line farther west. The treaty divided the entire unexplored world between Spain and Portugal. The treaty divided the entire unexplored world between Spain and Portugal.

10. Exploring America In 1499 explorer Amerigo Vespucci began mapping South America’s coastline. In 1499 explorer Amerigo Vespucci began mapping South America’s coastline. Vespucci concluded that South America was a continent not part of Asia. Vespucci concluded that South America was a continent not part of Asia. By the early 1500’s, European geographers had begun to call the continent America, in honor of Amerigo Vespuci. By the early 1500’s, European geographers had begun to call the continent America, in honor of Amerigo Vespuci.