The Vikings They were the first real European explorers. They used a method known as island hopping. They sailed to Iceland, then to Greenland, then to North America. (Canada Today)

Leif Eriksson He was the first to reach North America by accident. The vikings established a colony in North America known as Vinland. This colony was eventually abandoned.

Europeans Look to Expand Empires Portugal Spain Italy

Prince Henry the Navigator In the 1400s Portugal will become a leader in exploration. He founded a school of Navigation. He like most Europeans wanted Asian Spices.

Reasons They wanted Asian Spices. Convert people to Christianity He wanted Portugal to become a world power.

Technology assists Exploration The Magnetic Compass Astrolabe – Allows you to navigate using the stars. Caravels – They used triangular sails to sail against the winds.

Portugal’s Explorations Bartolomeu Dias – He sailed around the southern tip of Africa, known as the Cape of Good Hope. Vasco da Gama – He sailed around Africa and was the first to reach India by Sea.

Christopher Columbus He believes the shortest distance to Asia is to sail west instead of east. Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain sponsor his trip west. (Pay for it) October 12, 1492 Columbus finds land. IT IS NOT ASIA!!!! Columbus has run into the Western Hemisphere

Columbian Exchange This was the transfer (trading) of items between the two worlds. Plants and animals from the Americas to Europe, Asia and Africa. Corn, Potatoes, Tobacco and Cocoa.

Other Explorers Balboa will sail to Central America and discover the Pacific Ocean Vespucci will come to the conclusion that Columbus discovered a new continent. (Later to be named the Americas)

The Spanish Conquistadors Spain sets out to establish an empire in the Americas. Cortes will conquer the Aztecs. Pizarro will conquer the Incas. This establishes Spain as a world power.

Magellan Because He was Gell’in He and his crew will circumnavigate (go around) the globe.

The Spanish colonize The New World (Led by the Catholic Church) Plantations (agriculture) are established. The Native Americans are forced to work on the plantations. (Slavery) Bartolome de Las Casas tries to get better treatment for the Native population.

The Race for Empires Spain vs. England Many nations wanted a piece of the pie in the New World. There was money to be made! This will lead to conflict Spain vs. England King Phillip II will send the Spanish Armanda (Navy) to destroy Queen Elizabeth and England! The armada is destroyed, ending Spain’s control of the New World. The race is on to claim land in the New World.

The Northwest Passage and Claims in North America The Northwest Passage is a water route through North America that would allow ships to sail through North America and enter the Pacific. John Cabot- Will sail for England and claiming land for England. Jacques Cartier – Will sail for France and claim land for France.

Slavery in the Americas This started with the Native Americans. However, they were not immune to European disease. Plantations (Large Farms)- Required a huge labor force (Workers). Africans were the next choice to supply the labor.

The Middle Passage & The Slave Trade The Middle Passage – This was the voyage across the Atlantic Ocean that enslaved Africans were forced to endure. This lead to African Diaspora, which is the scattering of a people, Africans were sent all across the New World.