Exploration & Colonization:
The World Comes to the Americas
U.S. History
Review Questions - 1
1.
2.
3.
Why did European nations seek
new trade routes to Asia and
Africa?
What impact did the discovery of
the “New World” (Americas) have
on the “Old World” (Europe/Africa)?
How did the Americas change
due to contact with the “Old
World”?
Christopher Columbus




1492 – first trip
financed by Spain
Made 4 voyages in
total
Believed he had
discovered route to
Asia
Led to permanent
contact between
Old and New
Worlds
Other Nations Soon Follow


England, France, and the
Netherlands soon competed with
Spain for control of the “New World”
of the Americas.
All wanted to build great empires
using the wealth (gold and silver)
and products (raw materials and
cash crops) from the Americas.
Spanish Empire



The Spanish
Empire at its
Height

Spain built largest and
richest empire
Conquistadors and
explorers expanded
Spain’s control
European diseases and
brutal treatment of
indigenous natives
killed millions
Spanish colonized
“New World” and tried
to convert Natives to
Christianity
Spanish Legacy for U.S.



First permanent colony in the U.S. –
St. Augustine, Florida (1565)
Cultural influence in Southwest –
Texas, California, Arizona, New Mexico
Founded cities like Los Angeles, San
Francisco, San Diego, Albuquerque,
Santa Fe, San Antonio as Catholic
missions
New France



French empire built
on trade and fur
trapping – not
colonization
Exploration began
in Canada, spread
into Great Lakes
and Mississippi
River areas
Treated Natives
much better than
Spain did –
trading partners
and new converts
to Christianity
French Legacy for U.S.



Explored and mapped much of
Midwest
Cultural influence in Great Lakes
area– Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois,
Minnesota – and Louisiana
Founded cities like Chicago, New
Orleans, Detroit, St. Louis, Green Bay,
Mobile as trading posts
Review Questions - 2
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What areas of the future U.S. did the
Spanish explore and colonize?
What areas of the future U.S. did the
French explore and colonize?
Name three American cities founded by
the Spanish:
Name three American cities founded by
the French:
Name two similarities and two
differences between the French and the
Spanish Empires in North America:
New Netherland




Established for fur
trade with Natives
Main settlement was
New Amsterdam
Open to all settlers;
provided religious
tolerance
Captured and
renamed by English
in 1670s
Dutch Legacy for U.S.



New Amsterdam became New York
City
Cultural influence in New York area
– place names like Harlem, Bronx,
Brooklyn
Dutch folklore became early
American literature – “Rip van
Winkle” and “Legend of Sleepy Hollow”
English Colonies



England had colonies in
Canada, present-day
U.S., & Caribbean
“American” colonies
established for
differing reasons –
like religious freedom,
economic opportunity
Jamestown, Virginia
(1607), Plymouth,
Massachusetts
(1620) - first English
colonies in America
English Colonies




Colonies grew and became vastly
different from each other –
economics, religion, social structure,
relations with Natives
Regional differences developed –
New England, Middle, & Southern
colonies
English king ruled colonies
through appointed Governors
Some colonies had elected
legislatures
Review Questions - 3
1.
2.
3.
4.
The Dutch influenced what area of
the present-day U.S.?
What was similar between the
Dutch and the French colonies?
What were the three regions of
English colonies in America?
Name the first two permanent
English settlements in the
Americas:
Colonies Group Activity






Information to be gathered and
recorded for EACH REGION:
1. Names of Colonies
2. Population around 1770 (+/- 20)
3. Cultural identity – ethnicity,
religion, slavery?, etc.
4. Geography – climate, land for
farming?
5. Economic activity – farms?,
trading?, manufactured goods?, etc.