Exploration and Trade in Alabama History

Miss Smith introduces Alabama history to fourth graders, focusing on Native Americans, Spanish and French explorers, and their impact on the region. She discusses the Spanish search for gold and the fountain of youth, the discovery of Desoto Caverns, and the French settlement in Mobile. The video highlights the trade between explorers and Native Americans and encourages students to explore Alabama's historical sites.

Who were the first known inhabitants of Alabama before European settlers arrived?

• British colonists

• Spanish explorers

• Native Americans

• French settlers

Which country was the first to send explorers to Alabama?

• Portugal

• Spain

• England

• France

What was the main goal of the Spanish conquistadors in the New World?

• To find gold and riches

• To discover new lands

• To establish trade routes

• To find the Fountain of Youth

Who was the first Spanish explorer to document Desoto Caverns?

• Hernando de Soto

• Vasco Balboa

• Ponce de Leon

• Pineda

What did the Native Americans do when the Spanish explorers arrived at Desoto Caverns?

• They traded with the explorers

• They hosted the explorers

• They attacked the explorers

• They ignored the explorers

Which European nation established the first fort near Mobile, Alabama?

• Portugal

• England

• France

• Spain

What is a cultural tradition in Alabama that originated from French settlers?

• Thanksgiving

• Mardi Gras

• Christmas

• Halloween

What was one of the main items traded by French explorers with Native Americans?

• Spices

• Gold

• Silk

• Fur and deer skins

What was a common misconception about the New World among European explorers?

• It was uninhabited

• It was full of gold and riches

• It was a small island

• It was already colonized

What was one of the reasons French explorers came to the New World?

• To escape from Europe

• To find the Fountain of Youth

• To establish colonies

• To trade with Native Americans