European Explorers

European Explorers in the New World

Spanish, French, and English explorers came to America and changed Native American lives forever.

Spain's Reasons to Explore: The 3 G's

Gold: The Spanish wanted to find more gold. They wanted to be rich.

God: The Spanish wanted the natives to believe in God and they wanted them to become Christians.

Glory - They wanted to be famous and make Spain famous too.

Multiple Select

What are the 3 G's that help us remember the reasons for Spanish exploration?

• God

• Greed

• Glory

• Gold

Spanish Explorer Routes:

The Spanish explored areas in the south.

They conquered lands in Mexico, defeating the Aztecs and Incas.

They conquered southern lands such as present-day Florida, California, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Cuba, Bahamas, and South America.

Multiple Select

What areas were explored by the Spanish? Choose more than one!

• Canada

• Mexico

• Southern United States

• Northern United States

5 Reasons

Why Spain wanted to spread Catholicism to native people

Back in the 1400s and 1500s, most people in Spain were Catholic. Religion was a big part of their daily lives, so they thought everyone should follow the same faith.

​​1. Religion Was Very Important to Them

Spanish explorers and leaders believed that teaching people about Catholicism would “save” their souls. They thought they were doing something good, even though the people they met often already had their own beliefs.

2. They Believed They Were Helping People

By spreading their religion, Spain also spread its power. If everyone in a new colony was Catholic, it made it easier for Spain to rule and keep control

3. To Gain Power and Control

The Spanish king and queen were very devoted Catholics. They gave money to explorers like Columbus and told them to teach the Catholic faith wherever they went.

4. To Please the King and Queen

At the time, other European countries were exploring too. Spain wanted to be the biggest and strongest Catholic country, so spreading their religion was a way to “win” against rivals.

5. To Compete With Other Countries

Multiple Choice

All of these are resons why Spain wanted to spread Catholicism to native people Except -

• Religion Was Very Important to Them

• To Gain Power and Control

• To Compete With Other Countries

• They wanted to get rid of their King and Queen

• They Believed They Were Helping People

Spanish Missions

Spanish missions were religious communities built by Spain in North America between the 1500s and 1800s. They were built to spread Christianity, claim land for Spain.

Multiple Choice

What was the main purpose of a Spanish Mission

• To hunt down other European exlporers and steal their conquests

• To learn about the native people customs and religious beliefs

• To take gold away from native people

• to spread Christianity, claim land for Spain

France's Reasons to Explore: The 3 F's.

Friends: They wanted to make friends with the Native Americans. They traveled back and forth to trade.

Fur: They wanted beaver fur. They wanted to wear what rich people in Paris were wearing.

Fish: They caught fish to send back to France so they could get more money.

Multiple Select

What are the 3 F's that help us remember France's reasons for exploration?

• fur

• fame

• friends

• family

• fish

French Exploration.

The country of France sent explorers to the north.

French explorers claimed lands in the middle of what is now the United states and parts of Canada.

Multiple Select

Which areas best describe where the French explored? (Pick 2)

• Mexico

• eastern United States

• middle United States

• western United States

• Canada

(England) Britain's Reasons to Explore:

Religion: Escape religious persecution. They wanted to practice religion in their own way.

Money: They wanted more money and power for England and themselves.

Multiple Choice

Why did English/British explorers came to America?

• fur trade

• gold

• convert natives to Christianity

• money and power

(England) Britain's areas of Exploration:

England claimed land along the Atlantic (east) coast of present-day United States and parts of Canada.

Multiple Select

Which 2 areas of North America did the English explore?

• Mexico

• eastern United States

• Canada

• western United States

• middle United States