1. Today I am learning about the ancients of Georgia because these people had a great influence on how we live today.
Warm Up - Which European country was the leader in the exploration race early on? Why?

2. John Cabot 1497 England South Carolina and Georgia’s Coast
Established England’s claim to the Eastern seaboard of North America
Discovered Newfoundland, Canada
1498
England

3. Juan Ponce de Leon
1513
Spain
Eastern Coast of Florida
1st Spanish Explorer to set foot on the North American mainland
1521
Western coast of Florida
Was looking for the “Fountain of Youth”

4. Lucas Vazquez de Ayllon
1526
Spain
Georgia and southeastern North America
1st Explorer to come to Georgia
Unsuccessfully attempted a settlement

5. Hernando de Soto 1540 Spain Georgia and southeastern North America
Failed to find riches, brought death and destruction (especially disease) to the Mississippian natives

6. Giovanni de Verrazano
1524
France
Coast of North America; landed near North Carolina
Established France’s claim to North America

7. Jean Ribault
1562
France
Coast of northern Florida and Georgia
Established Charles Fort in the Carolina, North of present-day Savannah. The Huguenots helped him establish this settlement

8. Pedro Menendez
1565
Spain
Florida
Founded St. Augustine, Spain’s first successful settlement in mainland North America; St. Augustine becomes political/social power of Caribbean

9. Sir Francis Drake
1607
England
Virginia area; Jamestown
Helped establish England’s first successful permanent settlement in North America

10. Hernando Cortes
1519
Spain
Mexico
Conquered Aztecs and founded the wealth Spain was looking for; defeated Aztec leader Montezuma

11. Francisco Pizarro
1535
Spain
Peru (Andes of South America)
Defeated the Incas; captured the world’s richest silver mines

12. Most Important – Which explorer do you think was the most important
Most Important – Which explorer do you think was the most important? Why?