Why did they come to North America?

European Competition in North America

The Race to Explore North America

Other European countries wanted what Spain had so they decided to start exploring the Americas too.

The Spanish explorers wanted to find a Native American civilization in North America that was as rich as the ones they found in South and Central America.

Why was Spain in 1st place for so long?

While Spain was getting rich in the Americas...

Other countries were trying to find water routes to China and India through the Americas

Other countries were exploring the Northwest Passage and other routes to Asia to find ways around the Americas

Northwest Passage

Spain Responds to Competition

The French and the English try to claim parts of North America, which makes Spain mad because they were given that land under the Treaty of Tordesi#as. (remember the Line of Demarcation drawn by the Pope)

This caused a lot of religious tension and violence because everyone wanted the same land and riches

The Spanish and the French fought over Florida.

Treaty of Tordesillas and the Line of Demarcation

Spain and England Clash

Queen Elizabeth I of England sent “sea dogs” to raid Spanish ships and steal their gold and silver they were bringing back &om the Americas

Sir Francis Drake=famous English sea dog

Spanish sent the Spanish Armada to conquer England and restore Catholicism (England was Protestant) because they were tired of being robbed by the English

England Defeats Spain

England and Spain met in the English Channel and decided to square off

The sma"er and faster English ships crushed the large Spanish navy and forced them to retreat

4 Effects of English Defeating Spain

1. English remained Protestant (not Catholic)

2. England proved they could defend themselves

3. The world saw that Spain could be beaten

4. England began to move towards colonizing North America, but took a cautious approach