John Cabot

SS4H2 Describe European exploration in North America. SS4H2 Describe European exploration in North America.

a. Describe the reasons for, obstacles to, and accomplishments of a. Describe the reasons for, obstacles to, and accomplishments of the Spanish, French, and English explorations of John Cabot, Vasco the Spanish, French, and English explorations of John Cabot, Vasco Nunez Balboa, Juan Ponce de Leon, Christopher Columbus, Henry Nunez Balboa, Juan Ponce de Leon, Christopher Columbus, Henry Hudson, and Jacques Cartier. Hudson, and Jacques Cartier.

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John Cabot was born in Genoa, Italy around 1450. John Cabot was born in Genoa, Italy around 1450. His name was actually Giovanni Caboto, but he His name was actually Giovanni Caboto, but he would be remembered by the English translation, would be remembered by the English translation, John Cabot.John Cabot.

Early Years

In 1476, Cabot lived In 1476, Cabot lived in Venice, Italy, the in Venice, Italy, the main trading center for main trading center for that region. He that region. He worked there as a worked there as a merchantmerchant and and navigatornavigator. .

A A merchantmerchant sells sells goods. A goods. A navigatornavigator is is a person who directs a a person who directs a ship.ship.

Search for the Northwest Passage

In 1483, he moved to Bristol, England. He In 1483, he moved to Bristol, England. He believed that Asia could be reached by sailing believed that Asia could be reached by sailing west. west.

Ten years later, he heard of Columbus’ journeys Ten years later, he heard of Columbus’ journeys to the New World. to the New World.

Even though the Pope gave Spain control of Even though the Pope gave Spain control of all the new lands in the new world, King all the new lands in the new world, King Henry VII liked Cabot’s idea. He paid Henry VII liked Cabot’s idea. He paid Cabot to begin an exploration of the New Cabot to begin an exploration of the New World.World.

Cabot convinced the King that it was Cabot convinced the King that it was possible to reach Asia on a more northerly possible to reach Asia on a more northerly route than Columbus had taken, and this route than Columbus had taken, and this would be even shorter! This started the would be even shorter! This started the search for the search for the Northwest PassageNorthwest Passage..

The The Northwest PassageNorthwest Passage is a water route is a water route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean above North America.Ocean above North America.

First Voyage

Cabot sailed out of England with his ship, the Cabot sailed out of England with his ship, the MatthewMatthew, on , on May 2, 1497. He landed in the New World, believing that he May 2, 1497. He landed in the New World, believing that he had landed on the east coast of Asia.had landed on the east coast of Asia.

Historians believe he landed in Newfoundland, Canada. Historians believe he landed in Newfoundland, Canada.

He claimed this land He claimed this land for England. for England.

He sailed further He sailed further north, making the first north, making the first record attempt to find record attempt to find the Northwest the Northwest Passage, only to find Passage, only to find ice-crusted waters!!!ice-crusted waters!!!

Final Voyage When Cabot arrived back to England, he was given a When Cabot arrived back to England, he was given a

hero’s welcome. hero’s welcome. He was sent on another voyage to find Japan. This He was sent on another voyage to find Japan. This

time he sailed with five ships, but instead of finding time he sailed with five ships, but instead of finding Japan, he found dark forests and horrible rivers.Japan, he found dark forests and horrible rivers.

What obstacles did he encounter?

It was reported in a letter dated in It was reported in a letter dated in 1497 by John Day that Cabot 1497 by John Day that Cabot argued with his crew, ran short of argued with his crew, ran short of food, and had bad weather. food, and had bad weather.

Some historians believe that Cabot returned from his Some historians believe that Cabot returned from his second expedition and died around 1499 in England. second expedition and died around 1499 in England. Others believe that he never returned from his second Others believe that he never returned from his second voyage and was never heard from again.voyage and was never heard from again.

A replica of his ship, the Matthew.