EXPLORATION OF AMERICA

A. Exploration 1. New Beginnings in Europe a. The Middle Ages-period of isolation for Europe 1. monarchs -kings and queens were weak rulers 2. Feudal System-system in which a ruler grants part of his lands to lords a. Lords –large landowners who promised to protect the people on his manors (lands) b. Decline of Feudal System 1. workers moved to towns to earn their own livings a. middle class develops- mostly merchants, (bought and sold goods), doctors, lawyers

Feudal Manor

2. Expansion of Trade A. Crusades (holy wars) to the Holy Land 1. Roman Catholic Church and Muslim Conflicts a. wars fought in Palestine- Holy Land for both b. Catholic Church sends warriors to fight Muslims in a nine holy wars called the Crusades3 Effect of Crusades a. brought back new, exotic items (silk, spices, medicines) and navigation systems b. merchants now wanted to trade with the Muslims c. New Nations emerged in the 1200’s- France, England, Spain, Portugal

B. The Renaissance (mid-1300-1600) 1. period of renewed interest in learning and knowledge 2. Reformation – beginning of split with Catholic Church led by Martin Luther C. Age of Exploration begins 1. Trades Routes and Technology a. Marco Polo -traveled to China-stayed for 17 years b. Advances in Sailing Technology 1. compass- used for directions 2. astrolabe-helped sailors figure out the distance north /south of the equator 3. cartographers- made better maps

Feudal Town

Spices and nuts

MARCO POLO is credited with bringing back gunpowder (used in fireworks), and the use of coal for burning purposes from China.

CARAVELwith Lateen sail

AstrolabeAstrolabeCOMPASS

2. Search for New Trade Routes a. Vikings 1. Leif Erickson a. Norseman-founded Newfoundland by sailing from his home in Greenland 1. Called it Vinland – land of wine b. In1960, a confirmed Norse settlement was found- supported truths of Viking legends b. Portuguese 1. Prince Henry-nicknamed Prince Henry the Navigator

Leif Ericson’s Route to Newfoundland

•Leif Ericson discovered Newfoundland in 1003.

*There is an observed holiday called Leif Ericson Day that is celebrated on October 9th.

* Congress requested this day to be recognized because his discovery was the first organized immigration to the U.S.

PRINCE HENRY THE NAVIGATOR

a. Developed navigation- the science of piloting ships b. used astrologers, mapmakers, & shipbuilders knowledge c. caravel- Portuguese ship that used triangular sails d. traveled Africa for gold, spices, and slaves2. Portuguese Explorers a. Bartholomeu Dias- traveled to South Africa looking for India- storm pushes ships into Indian Ocean 1. King of Portugal calls the tip of Africa “Cape of Good Hope”

b. Vasco DeGama –did make it to India 10 yrs laterc. AmerigoVespucci-America is named after him because he was the first explorer to realize that the Americas were NOT part of Europe or Asia, but a new continent d. Pedro Cabral- founded Brazil, claimed it for Portugal

Bartholomeu DiasVasco DeGama Amerigo Vespucci Pedro Cabral

VESPUCCI’s ROUTE

CABRAL’S ROUTE TO BRAZIL

3. Spanish Explorersa. Christopher Columbus 1. Italian explorer -lived in Portugal- King said no to

his expedition to find India/Asia sea route a. Spain’s Queen Isabella/ King Ferdinand say yes 1. Three ships: Santa Maria, Nina and Pinta a. rough voyage; crew wants to turn back or they would mutiny- rebel and seize captain/ship b. Columbus asked for three more days c. Pinta lookout calls “Tierra! Tierra!” meaning land on October 12, 1492

2. San Salvador- island they landed on (Bahamas) a. Taina – Native Americans who lived there – Columbus called them Indians. WHY? 1. he was intrigued by the gold they wore b. Sailed to Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic) c. Columbus returns to Spain-they liked the gold 1. 1493- returns and creates Santo Domingo, the first permanent European colony -(settlement made by another land by people who are ruled by their home countries) in Western Hemisphereb. Spain sends many other expeditions 1. besides gold, they farmed on plantations-large farms for usually one crop (sugarcane, cotton)

Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria Columbus’ statue in Santo Domingo

Taina

2. African slaves brought to Americas to work farms a. Native Americans were mistreated, killed, sick 3. Columbian Exchange- exchange of goods and

ideas and people between Europe and Americas -negative impact on Americas as Europe introduced diseases like smallpox, measles, chickenpox5. Other Spanish explorers 1. Vasco Nunez DeBalboa a. first explorer to discover a route across Americas 1. went to the Isthmus of Panama, a thin strip of land and walked across to discover the Pacific Ocean

2. Ferdinand Magellan a. searched for a way to find Atlantic/Pacific Ocean passage around tip of South America b. reaches a treacherous strait (narrow channel of water) (later called Strait of Magellan) c. took weeks to find Philippines in Asia – he dies there, but one of his ships, the Victoria, makes it back to Spain d. credited with the first known people to circumnavigate, or travel around, the world

6. Early English Explorers a. John Cabot- Italian who sailed in 1497 for England 1. landed in Canada on Newfoundland 2. gave England claim to North America b. Francis Drake – first Englishman who sailed around the world