Warm Up September 12, 2104 How did Columbus’ discovery change the world?

Early Exploration

Early Exploration Between 1492 and 1700, there was a push from European countries to explore new land.

Christopher Columbus A Master navigator From Portugal. Asked the Portuguese to finance his trip west. They turned him down. He approached King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. Spain financed his trip. Discovered the Caribbean Islands. Landed in Hispaniola (Hatti) Named the natives Indians

Reasons for Exploration There were three main reasons for exploration. We call them “The Three G’s”

Economic (Gold) One of the three main reasons explorers set out to find new land was for Gold. Some wanted to increase their personal fortune while others wanted to increase the fortunes of their mother country.

Social (God) Early explorers believed that all people should be converted to Christianity. One of the three main reasons European empires sent explorers to new land was to convert the rest of the world to Christianity. They felt that everyone else was a “savage” and would naturally want to be converted to Christianity. They were wrong.

Political (Glory) Many early explorers went out to claim land and glory for their country’s leaders. By expanding territory, countries gained power. And at a time when much of the world was unclaimed, leaders of European nations strived to claim the land before anyone else.

Northwest Passage In the late 1400’s, the trade of spices, silk and other exotic goods between Europe and Asia was extremely profitable. Europeans wanted to find a faster route to Asia, so they went in search of a “Northwest Passage”. John Cabot one of the first to voyage out in search of this route. Instead of route to Asia, he landed on the North American continent.

Famous Explorers There are many famous explorers, but there are a few that had a lasting impact on the growth of the United States.

Amerigo Vespucci Italian 1501 set out to find route to Asia. First to realize America was another continent…not just Asian coast (Columbus) Mapmaker was impressed with Vespucci’s discovery, he named the land he explored “America” after Amerigo.

Ferdinand Magellan Portuguese 1519 Known as first one to circumnavigate the world. Died before completing the journey.

Spanish Conquistadors Hernando Cortes Violently conquered the Aztecs people and their leader, Montezuma, to take control of their land.

Think about it… Which of the motivations do you think was most important?