The Age of Exploration 4 th grade Explorers By Tracy Sikes Mt. Bethel Elementary

4 th Grade Explorers 1.Christopher Columbus 2.John Cabot 3.Juan Ponce de Leon 4.Vasco Nunez de Balboa 5.Jacques Cartier 6.Henry Hudson

Trade with Asia begins Marco Polo, from Italy, travels to China at age 17. The trip, began in 1271, took 3 years. Stayed in China for 16 years. Worked for China’s ruler, Kublai Khan. Saw many new inventions: paper, printing, gunpowder, as well as silk and spices. Returns to Italy and writes a book. Not many believed his fantastic tales at first. Christopher Columbus even had a copy of Polo’s book.

The Silk Road Not one road but several trade routes connecting China and Europe. Merchants traveled to China to buy silk, spices, and other goods. Traveled by caravan across the land. Wealthy Europeans were willing to pay high prices. The Silk Road was dangerous: thirst, hunger and attack by bandits.

The Silk Road

New Ideas in Europe Important changes took place in Europe in 1300s and 1400s. Called the Renaissance or re-birth. A rebirth of learning and knowledge. Changes in Technology: the printing press Changes in Navigation: astrolabe, compass, & gunpowder.

What happened to the Silk Road? Few Europeans made the trip of the entire length of the Silk Road. Merchants were used along the way. (a “middle man”) The Ottoman Empire, Turks, invaded and seized the western end of the Silk Road. They did not allow the Europeans to pass.

A Sea Route to Asia The oceans of the world were a mystery to most Europeans. Sailors were afraid of sailing off the “flat” earth, of sea monsters, whirlpools, and of boiling waters. Merchants believed that they would make more money if they found a sea route to Asia. They wanted to make a profit. A sea route would be longer than the Silk Road, but would be faster.

Portugal Leads the Way Portugal was the first to find a sea route. Sailed around the southern tip of Africa. Prince Henry created a school of navigation. Top secret! Brought in expert shipbuilders, mapmakers, and sea captains. Invented the caravel, a small light ship with triangular sails. Called Prince Henry “The Navigator.” Vasco da Gama made it to India.

Cristobal Colon Christopher Columbus, from Italy. Did not want to go around Africa. Wanted to sail west. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain paid for the trip. Wanted gold and spices. Wanted to teach others their religion, Roman Catholicism.

Christopher Columbus 1492, sailed on 3 ships. Nina, Pinta, & Santa Maria. Columbus had no maps to help. Landed on the island, San Salvador. Thought he was in the West Indies and named the natives, Indians. Also went to Cuba and Hispaniola. Made 3 more voyages to the Caribbean Columbus took corn, peanuts, potatoes, cacao, squash, and other plants back to Europe.

Giovanni Cabato John Cabot, an Italian explorer, thought he could reach Asia by sailing across the Atlantic. The King of England agreed to pay for his voyage in Cabot reached present-day Canada. He found no people, no silk, or spices. He did find a rich fishing area. European fishing boats began sailing to these waters.

Ponce de Leon Conquistadors from Spain helped explore North America. Hernan Cortes conquered the Aztec Empire in Mexico. Francisco Pizarro defeated the Inca empire in South America. Spain wanted gold. Spain wanted to share the Catholic faith. Spain wanted land for colonies. The first conquistador to reach what is now the United States was Juan Ponce de Leon.

La Florida De Leon was the first governor of Puerto Rico. Went in search of new land, gold and a fountain that would stop aging in “The Fountain of Youth.” Historians are not sure but may have landed in Saint Augustine, Florida. Named Florida after the Spanish word for Easter, “Pascua de Florida.” (feast of flowers.) Made several voyages around Florida.

Vasco Nunez de Balboa Spanish explorer Sailed to present-day Panama in Central America. In 1513, he crossed the mountains and jungles of Panama and reached a large ocean. He called it the South Sea. Found gold and pearls. Later would be called the Pacific Ocean.

The Northwest Passage Explorers now know that a new continent sits between Europe and reaching Asia. Explorers continued their search for a water passage through the North American continent. The sea route became known as the Northwest Passage.

France Explores North America Jacques Cartier continued France’s search for a water route to Asia. He sailed up the St. Lawrence River in Canada in Claimed Canada for France. Samuel de Champlain later founded Quebec. Many obstacles: cold, short growing season. Fur trade became very important.

Henry Hudson The Dutch wanted to search for the Northwest passage as well. They hired English captain, Henry Hudson in He sailed on the Hudson River in present-day New York. The Dutch claimed the land. Later, Hudson sailed for England in the Hudson Bay area of Canada.

Vocabulary accomplishment conquistador cooperation empire epidemic expedition explorer fur trading monarch navigation obstacle

So what’s next? Colonizing North America!