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Directions: Create a map like the one shown here. Include the following on your map.
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Columbus wasn't the only Spanish explorer who wanted to get rich and famous. After Columbus, Spain began sending soldiers called Conquistadors across the Atlantic Ocean. They were sent to conquer new land for Spain, and to make everyone rich. They also continued to look for a "Northwest Passage," which was a way for them to get to Asia by water. They never found it.
Countries: Spain and its Conquistadors were the first to establish a "New World" colony: New Spain. However, they weren't the only ones with this idea. Everyone in Europe was talking about the "New World," and other countries like France, England, and the Netherlands began to send their own explorers to the North America and South America (known as "the Americas"). These countries sent some explorers to establish colonies and other explorers to look for a "Northwest Passage." Within one hundred years, each of these countries had established their "New World" colonies, named New France, New England, and New Netherland. (They weren't very creative.)
Countries: Spain and its Conquistadors were the first to establish a "New World" colony: New Spain. However, they weren't the only ones with this idea. Everyone in Europe was talking about the "New World," and other countries like France, England, and the Netherlands began to send their own explorers to the North America and South America (known as "the Americas"). These countries sent some explorers to establish colonies and other explorers to look for a "Northwest Passage." Within one hundred years, each of these countries had established their "New World" colonies, named New France, New England, and New Netherland. (They weren't very creative.)
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Spain: After Columbus and his men explored Cuba, Puerto Rico, and other islands in the Caribbean Sea, Spain began sending more soldiers (called conquistadors) to claim new land, find gold, and spread Christianity. In 1513, Ponce de Leon began exploring Florida. In 1519, Hernán Cortés arrived in Mexico with horses and 500 soldiers. His men also accidentally brought the disease of smallpox, which led them to wipe out the indigenous Aztec Empire. (In its place, the Spanish conquistadors built Mexico City.) In 1532, another conquistador named Francisco Pizarro defeated Peru's indigenous Inca Empire, also thanks to smallpox. The conquistadors continued on from Peru, and conquered most of South America.
Spain found some gold in the New World, but their biggest success was claiming a lot of land. They are most known for killing natives, and doing all kinds of other terrible things to them. |
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France: Other European countries became jealous of the Spanish success in the New World. France sent explorers to colonize new land, and to continue searching for a "Northwest Passage" (an all-water route through the North American continent to the Pacific Ocean). Their search led them to explore the middle of present-day Canada and the United States. The French didn't find gold in these lands, but they did find beavers. Beaver fur hats were very popular in France, and so the skins were almost as valuable as gold.
Unlike the Spanish, who wanted to conquer and enslave the natives, it was important to the French to form strong relationships with Native Americans so they could trade with them. The French and the Native Americans worked together for many years, but unfortunately, the French also spread disease.
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England: England had very similar goals as their enemy, France. English explorers began by heading far north in search of a Northwest Passage, leading them into the very northern parts of present-day Canada. Later on, the English mostly stayed along the Atlantic coast of present-day United States, where they wanted to establish colonies. (These colonies would later become the first 13 states of the United States.) The English mostly tried to build friendly relationships with Native Americans for the purpose of trade. For the first years of exploration, the English were unsuccessful in building colonies or good relationships.
The Netherlands: The Netherlands were mostly interested in finding a Northwest Passage, but soon gave up. They instead focused on making money in the fur trade. They traded guns and other supplies to the natives in exchange for these valuable furs, and also traded for the island of Manhattan. They named this island New Amsterdam, but you know it as the part of New York City with all the skyscrapers. England refused to accept the Netherlands' land claims in the New World, and quickly drove them out, taking control of their colonies.
The Netherlands: The Netherlands were mostly interested in finding a Northwest Passage, but soon gave up. They instead focused on making money in the fur trade. They traded guns and other supplies to the natives in exchange for these valuable furs, and also traded for the island of Manhattan. They named this island New Amsterdam, but you know it as the part of New York City with all the skyscrapers. England refused to accept the Netherlands' land claims in the New World, and quickly drove them out, taking control of their colonies.
EXTRA CREDIT: Conduct your own research on Portuguese exploration of the "New World" and fill in the Portugal row on the graphic organizer.
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