Exploration & Colonization Essential Questions

Why did Europeans explore the world's oceans and colonize the Americas? Choose all that apply.

• God, Gold, & Glory

• To find a Northwest Passage

• To conquer the Mongolian Empire

• To prove that the Earth was flat.

What impact did Marco Polo's travels have on European exploration? Choose all that apply.

• After creating the Silk Road, people were encouraged to trade with other countries.

• Because of the Silk Road, other European Empires began looking for an all water route to trade with Asia,.

• Because of the Northwest Passage, people were encouraged to be more religious.

• Because of trade over the Mediterranean, people were encouraged to publish their literature.

What economic, social, and political factors motivated Europeans to explore oceans?

Groups:

(a) Social

,

(b) Economic

,

(c) Political

• Merchants & investors made a profit from trade due to the high demand for new goods.

• People wanted to become famous for exploring new regions.

• Countries wanted to expand their influence through exploration.

Which European countries established colonies and where did they settle?

Groups:

(a) France

,

(b) Britain

,

(c) Spain

,

(d) Netherlands

• In New York, along the Hudson River.

• East Coast of the United States

• Central United States & Canada

• Western United States, Mexico & parts of South America.

What role did the Dutch West India Company play in creating colonial settlements?

• They introduced slaves to the colonies in 1625.

• They found the Northwest Passage.

• They created new trade routes & colonies in Asia to increase trade.

• They introduced a Chinese population to California.

What hardships did the first settlers at Jamestown face? Choose all that apply.

• Dirty, undrinkable water

• It was bitterly cold in winter, humid in summer, & full of disease-carrying mosquitoes because of the marshy conditions.

• Most of the settlers were rich adventurers or explorers, not craftsmen or laborers, so they focused on searching for gold (of which there was little) instead of building houses or planting food.

• The aliens visited Roanoke & abducted all of the settlers.

• The religious leaders of the colony made harsh laws that angered the colonists & made them leave.