Discovering the Americas Chapter 2, Section 1

What European Discovered North America First? Several centuries before Columbus, Vikings had sailed west and more than likely reached North America. Many scientists believe that it was Viking sailor Leif Erickson who was the first European to step foot in North America.

So why don’t the Vikings get credit? 1. Other Europeans did not follow them. 2. They didn’t stay.

Columbus Crosses the Atlantic Although Columbus was born in Italy he became a sailor for Spain. Columbus believed there was a faster way to get to Asia by sailing west. In 1492 King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain backed Columbus (financially) for his expedition to find a shortcut to Asia. Queen Isabella promised Columbus a share of riches gained from the lands he discovered.

Columbus Crosses the Atlantic

Columbus Crosses the Atlantic On August 3, 1492 Columbus set sail from Palos, Spain. He had 90 men and three ships: Nina, Pinta and the Santa Maria.

Columbus crosses the atlantic After a month at sea sailors begin to worry. They talk of a mutiny and Columbus is worried they will throw him in the sea. On October 12, 1492 Columbus spots land. He thinks he has reached the Indies. He names the land San Salvador. The reality is he had reached the Bahamas (Caribbean Islands).

Columbus Crosses the Atlantic Columbus landing in the Bahamas. He thought he had reached the “Indies”.

Columbus Crosses the Atlantic Columbus made three more voyages from Spain in 1493, 1498, and 1502. He explored the Caribbean (Haiti and the Dominican Republic), Cuba, Puerto Rico, Jamaica and he sailed along the coasts of Central and South America. Columbus truly believed that the lands he found were Asia. The truth is he discovered what would later be called the Americas.

Amerigo vespucci An Italian cartographer questioned Columbus’ belief. In 1499, Amerigo Vespucci sailed across the Atlantic to prove to the world that Columbus had found a completely “New World”

Amerigo Vespucci In 1507, Vespucci releases his new map that shows the Americas.

Ferdinand Magellan The Spanish wanted to find a sea route through or around South America to Asia. This would later be referred to as a “Northwest Passage”. To do this they hired a Portuguese mariner named Ferdinand Magellan.

Sailing Around the World Magellan headed west across the Atlantic Ocean then south along the eastern coast of South America. He managed to find a narrow twisting sea passage to the Pacific. He named it the Magellan Strait. Magellan also named the Pacific which means “peaceful”.

Sailing Around the World Magellan expected to reach Asia in just a few weeks after rounding South America. Voyage across the Pacific lasted 4 months. The crew ran out of food and was forced to eat sawdust and leather to stay alive. Magellan actually died in the Philippines but his crew finished the voyage. Only one of the five original ships and 18 of the 200 crew completed the journey. They were the first to circumnavigate, or sail around the world.

Sailing Around the World