European Exploration

of the AmericasSTARTER:

STUDY FOR TEST!!!

Motives• Each European

nation that explored the Americas had a different motive for exploring

• Each motive created different reactions from the Native Americans

Spanish Motives

The Spanish came for the three “Gs”1. GOD- Convert the Natives to

Christianity2. GOLD- Spain was competing to be

the strongest and richest empire in the world

3. GLORY- Spanish conquistadors (conquerors) were famous heroes

* The Spanish were very cruel in achieving its goals

French Motives• The French came to America for

the fur trade• France was the fashion capital of

the world• The French were not interested in

riches or land, they just wanted to be business partners with the Native Americas

• Many Indians became allies with the French

English Motives• The English wanted LAND• In England, only the rich and

noble owned land• Land ownership was not

understood by the Natives• This caused the GREATEST

CONFLICT between Natives and Europeans.

Spanish Exploration

of the Americas

Christopher Columbus

• In 1492, Christopher Columbus was financially sponsored by Spain to sail west from Europe

• Although Columbus was from Italy, he sailed for Spain

• Queen Isabella & King Ferdinand Queen Isabella & King Ferdinand sponsored Columbus’ voyagessponsored Columbus’ voyages

• Columbus was hoping to find a westward shortcut to China for trade

• Instead, he actually landed in a new land, without ever knowing it

• Columbus actually explored the Caribbean Islands, including the Bahamas, “Hispaniola” (today’s Haiti & Dominican Republic) & Venezuela• Today, some Today, some

still call the still call the Caribbean the Caribbean the “West Indies” “West Indies” because because Columbus Columbus though he was though he was in Indiain India

• He called the people that he met “Indios” or Indians