South Carolina Explorers
When you hear the word “explorer”, what comes to your mind?
An explorer is someone who travels and searches for new places and things.
Who is Considered an Explorer?
If you were an explorer… what tools would you take with you to explore?
Below your list, draw a map of the principal’s neighborhood. Don’t ask any questions – just DRAW.
Are these maps the same??
South Carolina Explorers
Kings and queens in Europe wanted to send explorers to the New World. New land and riches were big motives for exploration. Merchants and missionaries wanted to expand their knowledge and spread Christianity.
When explorers claimed land in new places, they claimed it for their king and queen. Their travels were “for King and Country.” This meant that when explorers found the land, it belonged to their king and country.
Why did the explorers come to South Carolina? 1.To claim land and riches for their king and country. 2.Curious 3.Trade 4.Build settlements
Why do you think the kings and queens of Spain, France, and England wanted to have more land and more riches?
They wanted to become richer and more powerful!
Over the years, many explorers came to North America and South Carolina. Let’s take a look at five of those explorers.
Hernando de Soto Explorer fromSpain. He searched for gold and slaves. While exploring he met many Native Americans, including those from the village of Cofitachiqui. He treated them badly by stealing from them and kidnapping one of their leaders. He and his men traveled north from Spanish Florida and encountered Native Americans in SC. But, he did not establish a permanent settlement, but continued to travel throughout the southeastern U.S. looking for riches.
No Settlement!
Jean Ribault Explorer from France. He was chosen to lead an exploration to the New World to claim land for French people to compete with the Spanish. They called their settlement Port Royal and built a fort called Charlesfort (located near present day Parris Island). Once the colony was set up, Ribault returned to France to get supplies, but he did not come back. The men left behind at Port Royal struggled because they had trouble finding food and fighting with local Native Americans. After a while, they gave up and returned to France.
No Settlement!
Juan Pardo Explorer from Spain He landed in Charlesfort (present day Parris Island) and renamed this land Santa Elena. He had been ordered to explore inland and claim land for Spain. He met many Indian tribes along the way, including the Yemassee on his journey. He tried to make friends with the Native Americans because the Spanish were beginning to see how important trade was. Pardo traveled through the midlands and up country. He even traveled through the village of Cofitachiqui, just like de Soto.
No Settlement!
Henry Woodward Explorer from England. His ship was called Carolina. He and his men landed at Bull’s Bay. He established the first English settlement in South Carolina on Ashley River and named it Charlesfort (present day Charleston). While he traveled the interior of SC, he became friends with the Native Americans by respecting them and treating them fairly. He also traded with the Native Americans.
Successful Settlement!
William Hilton Explorer from England He was hired by the English settlers in Barbados to explore the coast of South Carolina. He sought out lush land for plantations. Plantations are large farms. He claimed an area now known as Hilton Head. Later, English explorers became an important part of the English colony in South Carolina.
Hilton Head
What ever happened between the Native Americans and the Europeans? At first, many of the Native Americans and Europeans were nice to each other. They had a good trading relationship. The Europeans wanted furs while the Native Americans wanted guns, knives, and other manufactured goods.
Later on, the trading relationship between these two groups worsened when the Europeans began treating the Native Americans unfairly. Also, conflicts over land ownership and land use grew worse as settlers began moving onto Native American hunting grounds.
The Native Americans didn’t want anybody owning the land, but the Europeans wanted to claim it for themselves. One group of Native Americans that was greatly effected by this was the Yemassee. The Yemassee went to war with the Europeans. Because of this, many people died on both sides.
Finally, the Native Americans and the Europeans agreed on a truce and the war was over. After the war, many more Native Americans began to die because of the infectious diseases brought over by the Europeans.