Reasons for European Exploration

Causes of Exploration

The Spanish The Spanish explored the North American continent for three main reasons: To find riches (Goods) To spread Christianity (God) To expand their empire and personal fame (Glory) They explored and eventually settled land in present-day Florida, Southwest United States, Mexico, and the islands in the Caribbean. ©2012, TESCCC

The French The French explored North America for these reasons: In search of a water route through the New World known as the Northwest Passage (all three European countries were in search of a faster, cheaper trade route to Asia) A source of wealth through fur trade with the American Indians and First Nations To convert American Indians and First Nations to Christianity They explored Canada, the Louisiana Territory, and islands within the Caribbean; they eventually set up trading settlements and forts for protection of those settlements. ©2012, TESCCC

The English The English explored North America for these reasons: In search of sources of wealth (gold) Convert American Indians to Christianity Claim land for England Search for trade routes Freedom from religious persecution Expansion of their empire and become competitive with other powerful European nations such as Spain Saw North America’s natural resources as means for gaining wealth (mercantilism) Explorers risked their lives for fame, curiosity, and pride for their nation. The English Colonial Era starts in 1607 with the first permanent settlement at Jamestown by the Virginia Company. This success leads to the founding of 13 colonies in America. ©2012, TESCCC

Reasons for Exploration God: spread Christianity Gold: gain riches Glory: expand empires

The Northwest Passage European nations wanted explorers to search for a Northwest Passage to Asia. Instead of finding a route to Asia, explorers found rich land and resources in North America

Mercantilism The main goal of this economic system was to increase the money of the country’s treasury. Colonies enriched their motherland by providing raw materials.

Triangular Trade A term indicating trade among three ports. Best known was the transatlantic slave trade. It carried slaves, cash crops and manufactured goods between West Africa, American Colonies, and Europe

The Columbian Exchange was a byproduct of the Triangular Trade The movement of plants, animals, and diseases between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.

Plantation System Large farms that raised cash crops such as sugar, coffee, tobacco, and cotton. At first Native Americans worked the Spanish plantations but many died from disease or overwork. They turn to Africans because of their immunity to such diseases.

Middle Passage The stage of the triangular trade in which millions of people from Africa were taken to the New World as slaves.