European Exploration of the Americas

Why did many explorers look for a “Northwest Passage”?

• to find gold

• to claim land for their country

• to find a quicker route to Asia

• to search for the coldest climate

Why did European explorers bring a lot of food and supplies on their trips to North America?

• Explorers wanted to give gifts to American Indians.

• Explorers did not have the skills needed to find food and supplies.

• Explorers believed they would become rich by selling these goods.

• Explorers were unsure how long it would take them to reach land.

Which of the following is the BEST title for this list?

• Reasons for Trade

• Reasons for Spanish Exploration

• Reasons for American Independence

• Reasons for the Constitutional Convention

What was one reason that many Spanish explorers traveled to North America?

• They wanted to find a place to practice their religions freely.

• They wanted to learn about the religions of American Indians.

• They wanted to visit places they read about in their holy books.

• They wanted to spread Christianity to people who lived in the area.

Which of the following BEST explains the difference between why the Spanish explored the Americas and why the French explored them?

Why was it difficult for early European explorers, such as John Cabot and Christopher Columbus, to plan their journeys to the Americas?

• They could not build big enough ships to hold all of their supplies.

• They did not have the skills needed to find food on their voyages.

• They had to pay for their ships and supplies by themselves.

• They did not have maps that could show them where to go.

Which of the following is the BEST definition of "mercantilism"?

• Bringing finished goods from one country to another

• Making raw goods so they can be changed into finished goods

• Receiving finished goods from another country instead of raw goods

• Taking raw goods from an area and making them into finished goods

Which of the following is an example of "mercantilism" by an explorer?

• De Soto stole jewelry from American Indians; De Soto made their own jewelry

• Cartier took furs back to England; England used the furs to make coats and scarfs

• Columbus was one of the first explorers; Columbus made maps for future explorers

• Balboa claimed the Pacific Ocean for Spain; Spain sent more boats to explore the ocean

Henry Hudson explored the area labeled I on the map and Christopher Columbus explored the area labeled II. Based on the map, what obstacle did Hudson MOST LIKELY face that Columbus did not?

• lack of food supplies

• long overseas journeys

• extremely cold weather

• hot and rainy conditions

Describe the accomplishments of John Cabot (England), Vasco Núñez de Balboa (Spain), Hernando de Soto (Spain), Christopher Columbus (Spain), Henry Hudson (The Netherlands), and Jacques Cartier (France).