1. Early European Explorers

2. Three Waves of Europeans
Wave 1: Explorers: Raided, Traded, Left
Wave 2: Conquerors (Spanish only): Came, Conquered, Cashed Out
Wave 3: Settlers (Mainly English and Spanish): Came, Stayed, Lived

3. Old World Maps It’s a small World…
Contrary to popular belief, Europeans did know that the world was round.
However, they did not know how BIG it was.

4. Old World Map

5. Old World Trade Before Columbus
Silk Road: Wealthy trade route between Europe and Asia
Europe was on the farthest end of the Silk Road.
It had to buy at the HIGHEST PRICES.
It’s traders got the SMALLEST profit.
A DIRECT ROUTE to Asia would make items CHEAPER and profits HIGHER.

6. Columbus’ Plan If the world is round… Columbus’ World Map
Europeans could sail around the OTHER WAY and trade directly with Asia!
Columbus planned to sail to India to trade for spices.
He was not expecting to find the AMERICAS in the way!
He named Native Americans INDIANS, because he though he found INDIA!

7. New World Maps

8. Early World Maps