Explorers Notes

Explorers Notes

It all started when

We think the story started with Christopher Columbus setting off to explore and find a faster route to Asia but that isnt the beginning of the story. There were a few steps before that happenedThe First Phasehumans traveled over the land bridge around 20,000-12,000 BC. They used the land bridge that connected Siberia to Alaska. These first humans were following herds of animals across the land bridge

The Second PhaseOver many years, humans began to migrate farther south and populate the areas in and around Alaska, Canada, and parts of what is today the United States

The Third Phase By 8,000 BC descendants of the original natives make their way to populate the areas of Central and South America

Think about QuestionWhy would the groups of Natives keep moving once they have crossed the Bering Straight??The Vikings are comingFor thousands of years these native groups lived completely separate from the other areas of the world. The very first Europeans to make landfall in the new world were the Vikings

Sometime between 800-1000 AD the Vikings led by Leif Erickson headed west from Greenland and IcelandLeif Erickson was searching for new land and he and his men landed on the coast of what is today Newfoundland.They named this land Vinland and spend a winter thereThey brought back with them grapes and lumberOther Vikings soon returned but because of hostile natives no permanent settlements were establishedThe world did not know of the Vikings part in the discovery of America until years later

Now to the part of the story EVERYONE knows1492, Christopher Columbus sets sail for the country of Spain with three ships, the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa MariaHe sailed WEST to try and find a faster route to AsiaAfter almost two months at sea, Columbus lands on San Salvador in the Caribbean islands Columbus will explore for many weeks claiming land for Spain as he goes

A little moreHe will make a total of 4 voyages Columbuss initial discovery will cause a chain reaction of the other European nations wanting to claim land and find their own treasuresColumbus will go to his grave not convinced he found new land, convinced he had landed in the West IndiesColumbuss Voyages

A little Humor

What about this one

Reason and Motive for European Exploration:Curiosity- Whats out there?Wealth- Want to be rich!Fame- What everyone to know who you areNational Pride- Want to bring pride to your nationReligion- You want to spread your beliefs to othersForeign Goods- There was demand for the new exotic trade goods like silk, spices, and jewelsFaster, Cheaper trade routes how can we get what we want easier and faster and pay less?

Real Evidence

What pushes this exploration along? Many thingsEveryone wanted to find a faster route to Asia. The land route took too long and was dangerous and expensive. Maybe they could reach it by seaThere was a Monopoly on the routes running through Venice and Genoa, this caused other countries to want to find their own way

Trade Routes between 1200- 1400

MoreThere were many technological advances that helped explorers in their journeys including theAstrolabe- determines latitude and longitudeCompass- determines direction Caravel- faster, larger ship then others

Results of Columbuss DiscoveryColumbuss discovery led to a new understanding of world geography Because of Columbus, other European countries will now send explorers to try and claim land Columbus starts the transatlantic slave trade by bringing the first slaves from the new world back to Europe with him and enslaving the native tribes he found

More ResultsThe beginning of contact with the Native and Europeans will lead to the destruction of Native Culture and lead to their near disappearance in many areasAlong with Ethnocentrism, the idea of racism, discrimination against members of one or more race, becomes a major issue between the different culturesThere will now be a race to explore and eventually be the first to circumnavigate (sail completely around) the world. That honor will go to Ferdinand Magellan who will be the first to circumnavigate the new worldHow do different countries react to Exploration?SpainFranceEnglandNetherlandsSpainGoal is to spread the 3 Gs- God, Glory, and GoldExplore many parts of South American and Central AmericaConquistadors: Spanish soldiers who attacked and destroyed natives in the quest for the 3 GsBad relationship with the natives, enslaved Natives Gained a lot of new land, became very wealthy from the gold, and introduced horses to the new world

Spanish Map of Exploration

FranceGoal was to discover the Northwest passageExplored mostly Northern parts of America including what is today Canada, St. Lawrence River, Great Lakes and Mississippi river areasBecame partners with the natives in the FUR tradeEstablished many permanent settlements Were very FRIENDLY with the natives

French Explorer Routes

England and the NetherlandsBoth countries wanted to find a Northwest passageBoth countries explored the eastern coast of North AmericaNetherlands had luck with Henry Hudson in the area of New York and established a permanent settlement their called New NetherlandsEngland struggled to claim new land and find a northwest passage. During this time period they were basically FAILURES For England, it will not be until almost 100 years later they will find more success in the new world.

Explorer Routes

Not really the end of the storyA lot more to come