Mr. Russo's US History--European Exploration/Colonization

US History-European Exploration and Colonization

8th Grade

How did it all happen? Reasons for exploration to the "new world."

• The growth of trade--they wanted to find a sea route to reach China and the Spice Islands

• Advances in technology--especially in seafaring

• Emergence of powerful European Rulers

• Desire for profit--BIG money could be had if they find the right resources

• Religious enthusiasm--European missionaries sought to spread Christianity throughout the world

Growth of Trade

• The Middle Ages saw explorers like Marco Polo return from China with all new spices to preserve food, intriguing teas, prized procelin and Asian cottons and silks

• The Europeans in the 16th and 17th century wanted to discover a sea route to reach Asia and ship those luxury goods back to Europe

Columbian Exchange

This was created when Europeans encounted the natives in Central and South America, especially the Spanish. It also brought diseases to the "new world." Millions of Native Americans died from illnesses like smallpox.

France, Holland, and England grew jealous of this trade route

• They wanted to compete with Spain and thus, started exploring as well

• Spain had already conquered the West Indies, Mexico and Peru

• Some groups in England wanted to escape religious persecution

Sir Walter Raleigh Persueded Queen Elizabeth to found a colony

• Roanoke was founded first in 1585, but after only 10 months, the colonists mysteriously disappeared

• Jamestown was founded in 1602 in current day Virginia. Captain John Smith was their leader. You might recognize that name from the movie Pocohontus!

• The Pilgrims came to Plymouth Rock in 1620. This was in present day Massachusetts. The United States bases a lot of Thanksgiving tradition from the adventures of the Pilgrims and Native Americans in that area sharing meals.

• The Puritans landed in 1630 in what is known as Massachusetts Bay.

Jamestown 1607

Pocohontus and Captain John Smith 1607

Advances in Technology

Europeans had improved their ships with better sails, better rudders and better navigational techniques

Emergence of Powerful European Rulers

Rulers like King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain were visionaries who allowed the exploration to happen.

Many famous explorers during this time

• Christopher Columbus

• Magellan

• Prince Henry the Navigator

Desire for Profits

It's all about the money!!! Follow the dollars and you can find out anything. Capitalist economies were just emerging and people sought new wealth from investments and trade in the "new world." The saying Gold, Glory and God has been used to explain the reason for exploration and expansion in this era.

Religious Enthusiasm

As Christianity grew in popularity in Europe, the missionaries wanted to expand it globally. They felt they not only had a superior religion, but also a superior culture.

Multiple Choice

Many of these were the biggest reasons the Europeans wanted to explore the "new world" Which one does NOT belong?

• The Growth of Trade

• Advances in Technology

• Desire for Profits

• Religiouis Enthusiasm

• They wanted to discover America

Multiple Select

What were the three things that it is said that the explorers really wanted? Check ALL that apply

• God

• Glory

• Gremlins

• Gold

• Greed

Multiple Choice

The first colony that England had in the Americas was in Roanoke. What happened to this colony after only 10 months?

• It grew tino a huge settlement

• The colonists mysteriously disappeared

• The lack of success there made the English scared to send any more colonists

• They had Thanksgiving dinner with the Native Americans

Multiple Choice

Jamestown was founded in what year?

• 1776

• 1492

• 1607

• 1800

Multiple Choice

Captain John ______ was the leader of the colony that founded Jamestown.

• Jones

• Johnson

• Smith

• Pocohontus

Multiple Choice

The Puritans founded which colony?

• Plymouth

• New York

• Jamestown

• Massachusetts Bay

Open Ended

What hardships do you think the early colonists had to deal with?

Open Ended

What do you think happened to the colonists at Roanoke?

THE END

or was it just the beginning?????