American History Challenge Christopher Columbus, navigator and explorer, sailed west across the Atlantic Ocean searching for a sea route to Asia. What did Columbus find? The West Indies and the coast of Central America.

Objectives How did Portugal seek trade with the east? Explain why Columbus sailed across the Atlantic and how did Europe react to Columbus’ discovery of the New World? Identify some of the early explorers of the New World?

Class Discussion--Exploration What’s your opinion? Would you be interested in exploring the world? Economics- Exploration improves a countries economy. Geography- Lands that are dangerous can never be settled. Culture- Problems arise when people of different cultures, languages and religions meet.

Journal activity What’s your opinion? Would you be interested in exploring the world?

Who was Marco Polo? When did he live? What did he do? Why is he important?

Portugal and Asian trade To improve sailing techniques, Prince Henry (Henry the Navigator) of Portugal gathered experts in navigation, mapmaking, shipbuilding, and sailing. Charted their positions with the astrolabe. They designed the caravel, a small, sturdy ship that made sailing fast and easy. They paid for expeditions along the west coast of Africa hoping that sailors would discover a water route to Asia.

Columbus’ Plan Reach Asia by sailing west across the Atlantic Search for riches for the Spanish monarchs and himself Riches of the new world create excitement in Europe. Columbus is considered a hero; he is appointed admiral and viceroy of the Indies. What is going on in Europe around this time?

Explorers of the Americas Complete the chart of explorers Chapter 15 and iPad

The real story of Columbus What do you know about Columbus? His first stop was in the Bahamas. He called the island San Salvador “Holy Savior” He lost one of his ships the Santa Maria on a coral reef. He made 4 more voyages to the Americas. In 1506 Columbus died a poor man and forgotten. Video