EXPLORATION

Native Americans

Archeologists believe that the first Native Americans came across the Bering Straight

Central & South America - Empires Aztecs

Current day Mexico City

Conquered by Hernando Cortez

Built temples, pyramids and stone palaces

Incas Current day Peru:

Andes Mountains Conquered by

Francisco Pizarro Built bridges,

roads, buildings and an irrigation system

Maya Current Day

Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico)

Disappeared long before European explorers arrived

Developed a system of writing and an accurate calendar

North America

North America – Tribes headed by Chieftain Navajo, Apache,

Pueblo – Southwest United States

Cherokee, Seminoles – Southeast United States

Iroquois – Northeast United States

By the mid 1500’s, the Native Americans of the Northeast had formed a well-organized political alliance call the IROQUOIS LEAGUE OF NATIONS. The main goal of the alliance was mutual protection.

Scientific Advancements

CARAVEL – Ship that needed little wind, could handle extended travel

ASTROLABE – Determined LATITUDE on the globe via stars

COMPASS – Determined direction from magnetic North

Explorers – Sailed for Gold, Glory, God, and Spices

Explorer Sailed for… Explored

Christopher Columbus* Spain Americas, Caribbean

Hernando Cortes Spain Mexico Vasco de Gama Portugal India Ferdinand Magellan** Spain Atlantic to Pacific Jacques Cartier France St. Lawrence River   * Columbus was looking for a new route to Asia ** Sailed around South America… Straight of Magellan   Explorers brought disease to the New World that killed

millions of Native Americans

Rivalry Between Nations

Catholics Spain Portugal France

Protestants England

Spain and Portugal disputed over new lands Resolved with TREATY OF TORDESILLAS Pope established LINE OF DEMARCATION

splitting land between Spain and Portugal France and England will fight a war later (7

years/French & Indian War)

Differences between types of explorers

French – Fur trappers. Came to New World (Canada) and returned home

English – Colonists. Came to New World and stayed permanently