Unit: European Exploration Topic: The New World

1. Get In The Game!

A.The success of the Portuguese inspired Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain to gain a share of the spice trade. B.Isabella also wanted to spread Christianity.

2. Christopher Columbus

A.In 1492, Christopher Columbus convinced the Spanish monarchs to fund his voyage…to the unknown!

B. Columbus thought he could find a sea route to Asia by sailing west across the Atlantic Ocean. ?

 Columbus loaded up the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria and took off for Asia on August 3, 1492.

C. Columbus reached land on October 12, 1492; he hadn’t reached Asia, but the New World!

 Columbus landed on San Salvador, in the Bahamas.

Thinking he had successfully reached the East Indies, Columbus called the surprised inhabitants who greeted him, los indios. Thinking he had successfully reached the East Indies, Columbus called the surprised inhabitants who greeted him, los indios. This term translates into “Indian,” a word applied to all native peoples of the Americas. This term translates into “Indian,” a word applied to all native peoples of the Americas.

In 1507, a German cartographer read reports about the “New World” written by Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian sailor. In 1507, a German cartographer read reports about the “New World” written by Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian sailor. He labeled the region America; the islands Columbus explored became known as the West Indies. He labeled the region America; the islands Columbus explored became known as the West Indies.

3. Who Gets What?

A.In 1493, Pope Alexander VI established the Line of Demarcation, which divided the non-European world into two zones for Spain and Portugal. B.One year later, with the Treaty of Tordesillas, the two agreed to move the line.