Chapter 5Chapter 5European ExplorationEuropean Exploration

The Age Of DiscoveryThe Age Of DiscoveryIn the beginning Europeans were

interested in Europe, Africa, and South Asia◦They didn’t know North America existed.

They were especially interested in the Far East/Indies◦ India, China, and Japan◦What was there: silk, spices, tea, and gems

The “age of discovery” was started so European nations could find a direct route to the Far East, around the Muslim controlled land and seas in Asia

Contact and European Contact and European ExplorationExploration1450-17301450-1730Spanish, French, and English

travel to the Americas seeking wealth.

They try to establish colonies in North America with varying success.

SPANISH EXPLORERSSPANISH EXPLORERSColumbusVaspucciPonce de LeónVásquez de AllyónDe SotoPedro Mendez

ColumbusColumbusInstructed to claim all lands

found in the name of Spain◦First discovered the islands in the

Caribbean Sea◦Called natives “Indians” because he

thought what he discovered was part of the Indies.

◦Believed this until his death◦Found no riches, spices, or silk

(just native jewelry)◦Does increase Spain’s wealth

Amerigo VespucciAmerigo VespucciItalian businessman; Traveled

with ColumbusConvinced that the islands found

by Columbus were part of the New World

“America” comes from his name◦Given to this part of the world by a

Swiss mapmaker

Juan Ponce de LeónJuan Ponce de León1st Spanish explorer to set foot on US

soilOn Columbus’s 2nd voyage stays in

CaribbeanBrutally conquers natives in Puerto

Rico, becomes governorExplores Florida coasts

◦Named it “Isla Florida” (Island of Flowers) Included modern day Florida, GA, S Carolina,

Alabama, and Mississippi◦Seeks “fountain of youth”- never finds it

Lucas Vásquez de AllyónLucas Vásquez de AllyónTries to set up a Spanish

settlement on E coast600 Spanish settlers: men,

women, children, free blacks and slaves

1st Attempt: South Carolina◦Swampy; insects (eventually sends

him S)◦Landed in Aug; too late to plant crops

Lucas Vásquez de AllyónLucas Vásquez de Allyón2nd Attempt: GeorgiaEstablishes San Miguel Guadalupe

settlement off GA coast (Sept 29, 1526)◦Allyón dies after being there just 10 days◦Lasts less than 1 year◦Most settlers die (very cold weather and

illness) ◦Slaves rebel (1st slave revolt in America)◦Survivors leave for Hispaniola (Dominican

Republic); only 150 are known to make it there alive

Hernando De Soto in GAHernando De Soto in GARoute through GA:

◦1540: Enters SW corner of GA Food was a continuous problem Very little meat- ate dogs Over the 4 year expedition almost ½ people

died (including De Soto) from disease, exposure, and Indian attacks

◦De Soto goes NE into Carolinas 1st European expedition to cross Appalachian

Mountains◦May have reentered GA into Chiefdom

of Coosa (Mississippian)◦Some disagree; believe that he went

straight to Alabama

Hernando De SotoHernando De SotoConflicts with Native Conflicts with Native AmericansAmericansDe Soto and the Coosa:

◦He was cruel to the Native Americans; captures Coosa Chief

◦SE native groups mad; tried to destroy expedition

◦Massacre fails; 2500-3000 Native Americans killed

◦De Soto heads W but dies soon after; possibly from battle wounds

Pedro MenéndezPedro Menéndez1565; sailed with soldiers from

Spain◦Spain didn’t like that the French built

Fort Caroline in Spanish Florida◦Spain was outraged that France was

building on Spanish soil and raiding Spanish ships

Orders were to drive the French out and begin colonizing La Florida◦Quickly carried out their orders◦Captured Fort Caroline and executed

the Huguenot defenders

St. Augustine- Spanish St. Augustine- Spanish ColonyColony1565: Pedro Menéndez tries to

keep French out of FlaDefeats French; builds St.

Augustine fort not far from GA1st successful Spanish settlement

in North AmericaLocated on Atlantic coast; very

important military/political baseProtected Spanish treasure ships

traveling on the gulf stream

Spanish MissionsSpanish MissionsFriars (church missionaries) lived

and worked with Indians here◦May have a few soldiers

Missions were Spain’s plan to prepare the SE for colonization◦Were usually built at the village of an

important chief◦ Indians were instructed in religion and

social behavior. Trade also was here. Young: reading, writing Adults: new crops and farming methods

English Exploration In North English Exploration In North AmericaAmerica

New World claims did NOT require the permission of the Native Americans◦Catholic and Protestant rulers both

believed that they had legal right to occupy any land that was not already colonized by another power.

◦They also felt moral duty to convert the natives to Christianity.

French ExplorersFrench ExplorersGiovanni de VerrazanoJean Ribault

Giovanni de VerrazanoGiovanni de Verrazano

1524: sailed from France◦Thought he could sail W from Europe

to Asia (like Columbus)◦1st came ashore on the Carolina

coast, or possibly as far south as GA and Fla

◦He then sailed up the east coast to Nova Scotia before returning home

Spain used his exploration as the basis for its claim to the SE

Jean RibaultJean Ribault

1562: he and his Huguenots (French Protestants) landed on Florida’s coast and sailed N looking for a place to settle.

N of present day Savannah, he discovered a protected inlet he named Port Royal◦Here the 1st European fort was built:

Charles Fort