John Cabot a SS4H2 Describe European exploration in North America. a. Describe the reasons for, obstacles to, and accomplishments of the Spanish, French, and English explorations of John Cabot, Vasco Nunez Balboa, Juan Ponce de Leon, Christopher Columbus, Henry Hudson, and Jacques Cartier. a

Early Years John Cabot was born in Genoa, Italy around 1450. His name was actually Giovanni Caboto, but he would be remembered by the English translation, John Cabot.

In 1476, Cabot lived in Venice, Italy, the main trading center for that region. He worked there as a merchant and navigator. A merchant sells goods. A navigator is a person who directs a ship.

Search for the Northwest Passage In 1483, he moved to Bristol, England. He believed that Asia could be reached by sailing west. Ten years later, he heard of Columbus’ journeys to the New World.

Even though the Pope gave Spain control of all the new lands in the new world, King Henry VII liked Cabot’s idea. He paid Cabot to begin an exploration of the New World. Cabot convinced the King that it was possible to reach Asia on a more northerly route than Columbus had taken, and this would be even shorter! This started the search for the Northwest Passage. The Northwest Passage is a water route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean above North America.

First Voyage Cabot sailed out of England with his ship, the Matthew, on May 2, 1497. He landed in the New World, believing that he had landed on the east coast of Asia. Historians believe he landed in Newfoundland, Canada.

He claimed this land for England. He sailed further north, making the first record attempt to find the Northwest Passage, only to find ice-crusted waters!!!

Final Voyage When Cabot arrived back to England, he was given a hero’s welcome. He was sent on another voyage to find Japan. This time he sailed with five ships, but instead of finding Japan, he found dark forests and horrible rivers.

What obstacles did he encounter? It was reported in a letter dated in 1497 by John Day that Cabot argued with his crew, ran short of food, and had bad weather.

Some historians believe that Cabot returned from his second expedition and died around 1499 in England. Others believe that he never returned from his second voyage and was never heard from again. A replica of his ship, the Matthew.