America Before Columbus America Before Columbus & Early European & Early European

Exploration Exploration

But First… North AmericaBut First… North America

• The “Land Bridge” – 40,000 years ago??? Is it correct?

Cultures of North AmericaCultures of North America

• In 1492… estimates: fewer than 1 million to more than 10 million inhabitants

• Most settlements semi-permanent, fewer than 300 people

• Agriculture: corn, beans, tobacco, etc.

• Hunting for nomadic tribes

Larger Native SocietiesLarger Native Societies

• Pueblos in the Southwest

Larger Native SocietiesLarger Native Societies

• Mound builders (Cahokia – 30,000!)

Larger Native SocietiesLarger Native Societies

• Woodland natives east of Mississippi River (e.g. League of the Iroquois)

Central & South AmericaCentral & South America

• Maya (300AD-800AD)

Central & South AmericaCentral & South America

• Aztec

Central & South AmericaCentral & South America

• Inca

Now… EuropeNow… Europe

Why and how did they Why and how did they explore the Americas?explore the Americas?

Improvements in TechnologyImprovements in Technology

• Renaissance artistic & scientific creativity– Use of gunpowder, compass, improved ships

& maps– Printing press spread ideas across Europe

Religious ConflictReligious Conflict

• Reconquista - Catholic victory in Spain over Muslims– Ferdinand & Isabella marry, unite Spain– Reconquest finished in 1492

Religious ConflictReligious Conflict

• Protestant Reformation (revolt) in Northern Europe splits the Church

• Protestants & Catholics desire to spread their religion across the world

Developing Nation-StatesDeveloping Nation-States

• Monarchs gaining power in Spain, Portugal, France, England, Netherlands

• Need revenue to run their countries need for trade

Expanding TradeExpanding Trade

• Increased trade w/ Africa, India, China

• Italians & Ottoman Turk middle men

• Others sought new route to avoid middlemen

Portugal Gets It Going…Portugal Gets It Going…

• Prince Henry the Navigator

• Vasco de Gama India

Spain Takes the LeadSpain Takes the Lead

• Columbus gains funding from Spain to search for a westward passage to Asia

Dividing the WorldDividing the World

Conflict between Catholic Conflict between Catholic countries over colonies countries over colonies resolved resolved

Spanish Explorations & ConquestsSpanish Explorations & Conquests

• Balboa Panama/Pacific Ocean

• Magellan Circumnavigate the world

• Cortez Aztecs

• Pizzaro Incas

• Conquistadores – Increased World’s gold supply by 500%!– Encomienda System (Native Americans)– Asiento system (African Slaves)

Other ExplorersOther Explorers

English ClaimsEnglish Claims

• Henry VIII and Elizabeth I challenge Spain

• John Cabot explored Newfoundland 1497

• Sir Francis Drake & Sir Walter Raleigh

England defeats the Spanish Armada

French ClaimsFrench Claims

• Cartier and Verrazano explore the east coast and St. Lawrence River, claim for France

• Busy repressing the French Huguenots (Calvinists/Protestants)

• Samuel de Champlain established Quebec 1608 “New France”

• Louis Jolliet, Jacques Marquette, Robert de la Salle add Mississippi River region

Dutch ClaimsDutch Claims

• Henry Hudson sought Northwest Passage, claimed Hudson River for the Netherlands New Amsterdam/New Netherlands

• Dutch West India (joint-stock) Company takes charge of New Netherlands

English English and and

French French Claims Claims

- 1645- 1645

Jamestown

Plymouth

The Columbian ExchangeThe Columbian Exchange

• Europeans and Native Americans had developed differently for 1000s of years

• Contact led to an exchange of plants, foods, diseases (est. 90% casualty rate)

• Significant, permanent changes to the WORLD