Explorers Study Guide

Leif Erikson Did not have a sponsor His father was Erik the Red Erik the Red and was kicked out of Iceland before

moving to Greenland Leif Erikson accidentally discovered North America

when he got lost Landed in what is present day Newfoundland, but he

named it Vinland because of all the wild grapes

Christopher Columbus –

Sailed under the sponsorship of Spain Was born in Italy Made 4 voyages to the new world Had 3 ships on his first voyage in 1492 – the Pinta,

the Nina and the Santa Maria Is credited for exploring San Salvador in the

Bahamas Searching for a shorter route to the Indies

Juan Ponce de Leon –

Sailed under the sponsorship of Spain Sailed to the Bahamas on one of Columbus’ ships Was searching for the Fountain of Youth, land, and

gold Claimed land at St. Augustine for Spain

Jacques Cartier – Sailed under the sponsorship of France

Was searching for the Northwest Passage – a northern route to the East Indies

Explored the area on the St. Lawrence River from Newfoundland to Montreal in Canada

Gave France claim to land in Quebec, Canada

Christopher Newport – Sailed under the sponsorship of England

Was searching for land in the New World Explored the area of the James River and claimed

land in Jamestown, VA Delivered a group of settlers to Jamestown Sailed on 3 ships – Godspeed, Discovery and Susan

Constant

Jamestown – Was settled by colonists from England in 1608

100 men were brought to start the settlement John Smith was the leader Chief Powhatan and his daughter Pocahontas helped

the settlers survive

Plymouth – Settled by the Pilgrims from England in 1620 100 men, women and

children Were searching for

religious freedom Sailed on the Mayflower Set up the first form of

government called the Mayflower Compact – which all 41 men signed

The Native Americans helped them survive the first winter

Celebrated the first Thanksgiving after their first harvest

Impact of Exploration

Europeans brought new diseases that wiped out many of the Natives.

Europeans claimed land that the Natives lived on and forced the Natives to relocate.

Be able to: Identify who sponsored each explorer, where they

explored, and what they were looking for Explain the impact of European exploration on the

natives Compare and contrast Jamestown and Plymouth