Exploration of the New World

Columbian Exchange Voyages of Columbus triggered transfer of people, plants, animals, and disease. Brought new crops to Europe (corn, squash, and potatoes) Introduced domesticated animals ( Horses, cows, pigs, and sheep) Disease spread rapidly

Hernan Cortes Arrived in Mexico in 1519 Searched for the Aztecs Claimed Tenochtitlan for Spain, known as New Spain

Francisco Pizarro 1532 Conquered Peru or Inca Empire Smallpox demolished a large population of the Inca’s Spanish conquered much of South America

Juan Ponce de Leon Discovered gold in Puerto Rico Search for the “Fountain of Youth” April 1513 Landed on present day Florida returned 8 years later to colonize

Francisco Vasquez de Coronado 1540 find golden cities Left from Mexico City and traveled north Seven Cities, Seven Little Villages

Pedro Menedez de Aviles Sent to FLorida to protect area from French St. Augustine fort

Jacques Cartier 1534 French sent him to explore Atlantic coastline Find Northwest Passageway Claimed Canada, New France Beaver fur

Samuel de Champlain Founded first settlement in New France in 1608 sailed up Saint Lawerence to now Quebec Quebec base for French settlers

Father Marquette and Louis Joliet Explored the Mississippi River 1673 Hope it would lead to the Northwest Passageway

Robert Cavelier de La Salle Explored the length of the Mississippi River April 9,1682 planted a French flag at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Claimed everything west of the Mississippi for France Named the area Louisiana, after their ing, King Louis XIV