SPANISH EXPLORATION
Spanish Colonization: Christopher
Columbus
Italian Sea Captain and
map maker
 Wanted to sail west across
the Atlantic to reach the Far
East
 Queen Isabella and King
Ferdinand of Spain
eventually agreed to give
him money, supplies and a
crew.

The Voyage
Set sail from Spain August 3, 1492 with 90
men and 3 ships (Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria)
 After only three weeks, his crew began to
complain. Some wanted to throw him
overboard.
 Finally, on October 12, 1492, sailor Rodrigo
Triana spotted land in the moonlight.
 They landed in the Bahamas and named the
natives Indians because he thought he had
reached the East Indies

The Voyage Continued
He made a total
of 4 voyages to
the “New World”
 He died in
disgrace because
no one yet
realized the
importance of his
discovery

Legacy: Age of Exploration
His voyage started the Age of
Exploration. He was the first
explorer to cross the Atlantic.
 Other Spanish explorers claimed
the southwestern United States,
Central America, and parts of
South America for Spain

French Exploration


France entered the Age of Exploration so that
Spain and Portugal would not become too rich and
powerful.
The King of France wanted to find a northwest
passage – an all water route through or around
North America
French Explorers




1. 1524 – Giovanni da Verrazano – explored what
is now North Carolina to Newfoundland
2. 1535 – Jacques Cartier – discovered the St.
Lawrence river and claimed a large amount of land
for France
3. Samuel de Champlain – 1608 founded the first
settlement in New France – called it Quebec
4. Champlain was the first European to see the
Great Lakes
Robert de La Salle




1. 1682 – dreamed of
a great French empire
2. Sailed down the
Mississippi River
3. Claimed all land
drained by the
Mississippi for France
4. Named it Louisiana,
after the King