John Cabot
Henry Hudson
Juan Ponce de Leon
European Explorers
Christopher Columbus
Vasco Nunez de Balboa
Jacques Cartier
Standards
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SS4H2 The student will describe European exploration in North
America.
a. Describe the reasons for, obstacles to, and accomplishments of the
Spanish, French, and English explorations of John Cabot, Vasco Núñez
de Balboa, Juan Ponce de León, Christopher Columbus, Henry Hudson,
and Jacques Cartier.
b. Describe examples of cooperation and conflict between Europeans
and Native Americans.
SS4G2 The student will describe how physical systems affect human
systems.
b. Describe how the early explorers (SS4H2a) adapted, or failed to
adapt, to the various physical environments in which they traveled.
Vocabulary Terms
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Expedition – a journey with a specific goal
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Settlement – a small community of people in a new area
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Navigation – the science of planning and controlling the direction
of a ship
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Circumnavigate – to sail all the way around something
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Colony – a settlement ruled by a distant country
Vocabulary Terms
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Caravan – a group of travelers journeying together
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Slavery – a cruel system in which people are bought
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Epidemic – an outbreak of disease that makes many people sick
at once
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Mission – a Christian settlement and religious community
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Revolt – a rebellion against a ruler
Introduction to Early Explorers
The early explorers were brave men who
left their homes in search of something more.
Their accomplishments changed our way of
life and marked the beginning of the recorded
history of the United States of America.
These journeys marked the beginning of
global trade and cultural exchange which
changed the lives of people around the world.
John Cabot
(1450-1499)
Who was John Cabot?
John Cabot was born in Italy and later
moved to England. He hoped to find a sponsor
to help fulfill his dream of discovering a
shorter trade route to Asia. Cabot would make
three journeys in search for a Northwest
Passage (a seaway) across North America to
Asia. King Henry VII of England would sponsor
Cabot’s journeys.
Journey of 1496
He set sail on his first voyage in 1496.
The first journey faced many obstacles like
bad weather, dissention, and disagreements
among crew members. The lack of maps to
help guide the crew caused his ship to return
to England before completing their journey.
John Cabot’s Routes
Journey of 1497
Cabot set sail on a second journey in
1497 on a small ship called "Matthew". His
ship landed near Labrador or Cape Breton
Island (the exact spot is uncertain) on June
24, 1497. He explored the Canadian coastline
and named many of its islands and capes.
Cabot claimed the land for England. Cabot
did not encounter any Native Americans.
Journey of 1498
Cabot received a crew and five ships
for his final journey in 1498. Bad weather
and icebergs forced one ship back during
this journey. Cabot and the other ships
continued sailing, but were lost at sea.
Accomplishments
Cabot never fulfilled his dream of
finding a shorter trade route to Asia,
but he did make the first English claim
to Canada. He also discovered many
fishing opportunities which helped start
successful fishing companies for England.
Jacques Cartier
(1491-1557)
Who was Jacques Cartier?
Jacques Cartier was sponsored by
France to lead three expeditions to Canada
in 1534, 1535, and 1541. He would make the
journeys in search of riches and a
Northwest Passage (a seaway) across North
America to Asia. Cartier sailed inland and
explored over 1,000 miles of the St.
Lawrence River during his three expeditions.
Journey of 1534
Cartier left France in 1534 and landed in
the Gulf of St. Lawrence within twenty days
after he set sail. He met a group of Native
Americans known as the Huron-Iroquois. Two
sons of the Huron Chief would join Cartier on
his return trip to France. The King of France
was impressed with his discovery and agreed to
sponsor the additional expeditions.
Jacques Cartier’s First Voyage
Journey of 1535
Cartier encountered many obstacles during
his expeditions. The Huron-Iroquois tribe
traded with the settlers. They assisted when
the crew fell ill from malnutrition during the
harsh winter of the second expedition. The
tribe provided a drinking tea cure made from
the White Cedar tree and saved 85 settlers.
Cartier took the Indian Chief Donnacona back
to France, so tell of the treasure of jewels.
Jacques Cartier’s 2nd Voyage
Journey of 1541
Cartier returned to collect jewels and
start settlement of Quebec. The settlers
faced another harsh winter and unfriendly
Huron-Iroquois tribe. The tribe realized the
French intention to occupy their land. Cartier
lost many men during battles with the HuronIroquois and abandoned the settlement during
the harsh cold winter.
Accomplishments
Cartier did not find his passage, but he
did pave the way for the French exploration
of North America. Cartier created the name
“Canada” after the Huron-Iroquois gave him
directions to a "kanata," a village near
Quebec. "Kanata" means village in the HuronIroquois language. Cartier later named the
entire region Canada.
Vocabulary Terms
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Merchant – a person who makes money by buying and selling goods
Empire – territories and groups of people controlled by one
government
Invasion – the entry of an armed force into another country to
conquer it
Pilgrim – a person who makes a long journey for religious reasons
Missionary – a person who teaches his or her religion to others
who have different beliefs
Vocabulary Terms
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Armada – the Spanish word for a large fleet of ships
Charter – a document giving permission to a person or group to
do something
Indentured servant – someone who agreed to work for a number
of years in exchange for the cost of a voyage to North America
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Cash crop – a crop that people grow and sell to earn money
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Compact – an agreement
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Cape – a strip of land that stretches into a body of water
Christopher Columbus
(1451-1506)
Who was Christopher Columbus?
Christopher Columbus was born Genoa,
Italy. He went to sea as a young boy (10 years
old), and he spent most of his life at sea.
Columbus believed the world was round and ships
could sail west across Atlantic Ocean to reach
India and China. He would later move to Portugal
looking for a sponsor. Columbus eventually found
a sponsor in King Ferdinand II and Queen
Isabella of Spain. They commissioned his
expedition to discover a safer trade (spice)
route to India and China by sailing west across
the Atlantic Ocean.
Christopher Columbus’
Voyages
Voyage of 1492
In 1492, Columbus set sail from Spain
with three ships: the Nina, Pinta, and Santa
Maria. The crew set sail without knowing if
they could reach India and China by traveling
west. They experienced many obstacles during
the long hard journey. The crew did not have
maps to help navigate their voyage. The crew
became frightened and pushed for Columbus to
turn back home. Columbus promised he would
return home if they didn’t reach land soon,
within days they spotted land.
Voyage of 1492, cont.…
Columbus and his crew landed on an island
in the Bahamas (San Salvador). They
encountered a peaceful and friendly native
tribe on the island, but would later fight
hostile tribes during his exploration of Cuba
and Hispaniola. He established the settlement
of La Navidad after leaving 39 men behind
when the Santa Maria ran aground. Columbus
died in 1506 still believing he had found a new
route to the East Indies.
Christopher Columbus’
1492 Voyage
Accomplishments
Columbus would make three more voyages
and settled lands in Central and South America.
He would name the local people Indians because
he believed his crew actually reached India.
Columbus didn’t reach India, but is remembered
as the explorer who discovered America.
Replicas of Nina, Pinta, & Santa
Maria
Picture of Columbus landing on the
shore of the Bahamas
Juan Ponce de Leon
(1460?-1521)
Early Life for Juan Ponce de Leon
Juan Ponce de Leon was born in Spain.
He delivered messages in the royal court as a
boy. He later served in many military
campaigns against the Muslims until they were
driven out of Spain. After sailing with
Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to
the New World in 1493, Ponce de Leon
remained in Santo Domingo, an island south of
Florida.
Who is Juan Ponce de Leon?
Juan Ponce de Leon continued exploring
for Spain. He conquered nearby Puerto Rico and
heard many reports of gold and a fountain that
would help people live forever, the Fountain of
Youth. Ponce de Leon sent word to Spain and
was commissioned to search for the treasures.
He found large amounts of gold in Puerto Rico,
and continued his exploration.
Who is Juan Ponce de Leon?
cont…
Ponce de Leon’s search took him north to
the coast of many flowers. He landed near what
is now St. Augustine. He became the first
European explorer to set foot on what is now
the continental United States. He named this
place, Florida, which is Spanish for “covered in
flowers.” Ponce de Leon claimed the land for
Spain. He met the Native Americans already
occupying the land, who told him of a legend.
Search of the Fountain of Youth
The legend claims who drinks from this
fountain would never grow old. Ponce de Leon
believed the fountain existed in Bimini. He
organized an expedition to find the fountain in
1513. He sailed through the Florida Keys and
Cuba, but returned to Spain without finding the
fountain.
Ponce de Leon returned five years later
with 2 ships and 200 men. They landed on the
west coast of Florida and were met by a large
group of hostile Native Americans. An arrow
hit Ponce De Leon and he later died in July of
1521 from his wounds.
Juan Ponce de Leon’s route
Accomplishments
Ponce de Leon became was the first
European to explore Florida. He established
the oldest European settlement in Puerto Rico.
Ponce de Leon also discovered the Gulf
Stream (a current in the Atlantic Ocean)
during his search for the “Fountain of Youth”.
Mrs. Eason’s Vacation at the
Fountain of Youth
Fountain of Youth Pictures cont..
Fountain of Youth pictures cont..
Fountain of Youth pictures cont..
Statue of Juan Ponce de Leon at
the Fountain of Youth
A replica of a ship that the explorers
traveled in during that time period
Vasco Nunez de Balboa
(1475-1519)
Who was Vasco Nunez de Balboa?
Vasco Nunez de Balboa was a Spanish
conquistador and explorer. In 1500, Balboa
sailed with Rodrigo de Bastidas from Spain to
Colombia, South America. They searched for
treasures (pearls and gold) along the northern
coast of South America and in the Gulf of
Uraba (near San Sebastian). They were forced
to abandon their leaky ship in Hispaniola. A
penniless Balboa tried, unsuccessfully, to farm
for a living.
Vasco Nunez de Balboa cont..
In 1510, Balboa and his dog Leoncico
stowed away on a boat going from Santo
Domingo to San Sebastian. Upon arriving at
San Sebastian, they discovered the settlement
had burned to the ground. Balboa convinced
the crew to travel southwest to another area
he found on his earlier expedition. In 1511,
Balboa founded the first European settlement
in South America - the town of Santa Maria de
la Antigua del Darien. Balboa married the
daughter of Careta, the local Indian chief.
Vasco Nunez de Balboa cont..
In 1513, he sailed with hundreds of
Spaniards and Indians across the to the
Darien Peninsula. Balboa headed an overland
expedition west through very dense
rainforests. They fought many Indians and
destroyed an Indian village, killing hundreds
of Indians and stealing their gold. He became
the first European to see the eastern part of
the Pacific Ocean (1513) after crossing the
Isthmus of Panama and claimed the ocean for
Spain.
Vasco Nunez de Balboa’s Route
Vasco Nunez de Balboa cont..
Balboa was charged with treason against
Spain. A friend, Arias de Avila, actually framed
the innocent Balboa. Another friend, Francisco
Pizarro, arrested Balboa in the name of Spain.
The court found Balboa guilty and was publicly
beheaded in Acla in 1519.
Accomplishments
In 1511, Balboa founded the first
European settlement in South America. He
became the first European to see the
eastern part of the Pacific Ocean (1513)
Who was Henry Hudson?
(1565-1611)
Who was Henry Hudson?
Henry Hudson was an English explorer
and navigator who explored parts of the
Arctic Ocean and northeastern North
America. Little is known about Hudson's
early life. The Hudson River, Hudson Strait,
and Hudson Bay are bodies of water named
for Hudson.
Voyage of 1607
Hudson sponsored by the Muscovy
Company in 1607 to find a waterway from
Europe to Asia. He made two trips (1607 and
1608), but failed to find a route to China.
Hudson sailed to Spitzbergen (an island in
the Arctic Ocean) in 1607 and discovered
Jan Mayen Island (an island off Greenland).
He then sailed to Novaya Zemlya (an island
north of Russia in the Arctic Ocean) in 1608.
Voyage of 1609
The Dutch East India Company
sponsored Hudson in 1609 to find a southern
Northwest Passage. He sailed to Nova Scotia
in a ship called the Half Moon and then sailed
south. Hudson discovered what we now call
the Hudson River. Historians credit Hudson
with discovering New York City, although da
Verrazzano first sailed the area in 1524.
Hudson’s reports about harbors and rich land
resulted in the establishment of many Dutch
settlements in the area.
Final Voyage
A trip through the Hudson Strait and
into Hudson Bay during 1611 would end in a
mutiny on his ship. The crew mutinied and set
Hudson, his son, and seven crew members
adrift in a small open boat in Hudson Bay.
Hudson died shortly afterward in 1611.
Henry Hudson’s Route
Accomplishments
The Hudson River, Hudson Strait, and
Hudson Bay are bodies of water named for
Hudson. He discovered Jan Mayen Island.
Historians credit Hudson with discovering New
York City. His reports resulted in the
establishment of many Dutch settlements in
the area.