European Explorers of North America and the

New York RegionChapter 4 – Ms. Stemm

What were European explorer’s looking for?

European Explorers

Most European explorers who came to North America were searching for an easier

and faster way to reach Asia.

Why were Europeans searching for an easier route to Asia?

European Explorers

Europeans were searching for Asia because of the valuable goods that were found there. These goods include silks, spices and gold. Europeans

were very interested in wealth and power.

Who were a few of the most important European Explorers?

European Explorers

Five of the most important European Explorers include Christopher Columbus, Giovanni da

Verrazano, Jacques Cartier, Henry Hudson and Samuel de Champlain.

Christopher Columbus

Set sail from Spain in 1492. Sailed aboard the Nina, Pinta & Santa Maria

for more than 60 days before reaching land.

Giovanni da Verrazano

Set sail from France in 1524. Sailed aboard the ship named La

Dauphine to explore north of where Columbus explored.

He landed in present-day South Carolina and traveled north.

Jacques Cartier

Set sail from France in 1536.

Sailed aboard a ship called the Grande Hermaine.

He traveled 1,000 miles up a large river, a journey which lasted 137 days!

Henry Hudson

Set sail from the Netherlands in 1536. Sailed aboard a small ship called the Half Moon.

Samuel de Champlain

Set sail aboard the Don-de-Dieu in 1603. Followed Cartier’s route but continued to explore

further south.