Transcript Chapter 3
Exploration and Colonization An Era of Exploration Early Voyages to the Americas The Vikings left detailed records of their voyages. In 1001, Viking sailors led by Leif Ericson reached the northern tip of North America, and started a settlement called Vinland. This was located in present day Newfoundland. There are stories about people from Asia sailing to America, but no one really knows if they made it. Columbus Reaches the Americas Portuguese sailors pioneered new routes around Africa to Asia in the 1400s, and other countries wanted a piece of the action. Spain wanted a share in the action, and King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella agreed to the finance Christopher Columbus on a trip to find a route to Asia by sailing West across the Atlantic. In August 1492, Columbus set sail with three shipsThe Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria, and after making a stop at the Canary Islands he started sailing west. The Atlantic Crossing Land was spotted on October 12th and Columbus claimed the land for Spain. Convinced he had reached the East Indies of Asia. In fact he reached islands off of North America in the Caribbean Sea, which are now known as the West Indies Columbus explored for three months, then returned to Spain with stories of the Tainos (Indians) and gifts The King and Queen were impressed and authorized more voyages. Spain Authorizes Colonies Columbus made three more voyages across the Atlantic, and founded the first Spanish colonyHispaniola- present day Haiti and Dominican Republic. A colony is a group of people who settle in a distant land but are still ruled by the government of their native land. Columbus was a better explorer than governor. He died in 1506, still thinking he had reached Asia. A Lasting Impact Columbus has long been known as the person who “discovered” America, but in reality the Native Americans had in fact “discovered” America and settled these lands long before 1492. For the Native Americans contact with Europeans did not end well. The Europeans thought that their culture was far superior to that of the Native Americans. The Indians were enslaved by the Europeans in gold and silver mines. Many died from harsh conditions and diseases brought from Europe. Regardless, the discovery of the Americas was a real turning point in history. Europeans saw the land as a place where they could settle, trade with, and grow rich. The Spanish Cross the Pacific In 1513, Vasco Nunez de Balboa explored the jungles of the Isthmus of Panama, for the Native Americans had told him of a large body of water that lays to the West. Balboa reached the Pacific Coast in about 25 days and claimed the body of water for Spain. The Spanish had no idea how wide the Pacific Ocean was until Ferdinand Magellan sailed across it. They left Spain in 1519. 15 months later it rounded the southern tip of South America and entered the Pacific Ocean. They eventually ran out of food as they spent 3 months and 20 days without taking on provisions. Magellan was killed in a battle with the local people in the Philippine Islands. In 1522, only one ship and 18 sailors returned to Spain. These were the first people to circumnavigate the globe. During this voyage they found an all water western route to Asia, and Europeans realized the true size of the Earth. A Global Cultural Exchange The encounter between the peoples of the Eastern and Western hemispheres sparked a global exchange of goods and ideas, known as the Columbian Exchange. Covered a wide range of areas- food, medicine, government, technology, arts, and language. Both Europeans and Native Americans learned and contributed to each other’s culture. European Influences Europeans introduced domestic animals (chickens, horses, pigs, and cattle). Horses would escape into the wild and multiply rapidly. Native Americans learned to ride them. Plants were also brought over- bananas from the Canary Islands, oranges, figs, and lemons. Bluegrass, the daisy, and dandelion were also brought over from the Europeans. They also brought with them many diseases that killed the Native Americans who had no immunity to them. Within 75 years 90% of the Native American population was dead. Native American Influences Native Americans introduced Europeans to corn, potatoes, beans, tomatoes, manioc, squash, peanuts, pineapples, and blueberries. Half of the world’s food comes from plants first grown in the Americas. Europeans brought the food with them around the world and everywhere people’s diets changed and populations increased. Indians also showed Europeans snowshoes, how to trap beavers and other animals, and how to paddle in canoes. Benjamin Franklin among others admired the Iroquois government. Spain Builds and Empire Spanish Conquistadors Conquistadors- “conquerors” name for Spanish explorers who claimed lands in the Americas for Spain. They searched for glory and gold, and to make Spain the richest nation in Europe. Hernando Cortes was one of these conquistadors, who in 1519 sailed for Mexico in search of a wealthy Native American Empire. Conquest of the Aztecs Moctezuma the Aztec emperor heard of the Spanish arrival- white skinned men with long thick beards on floating houses. There was an Aztec prophecy of white-skinned gods arriving from the east, so the Aztecs welcomed the Spanish. Cortes marched into the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan in November of 1519, where he was treated kindly. That changed quickly- Aztecs drove the Spanish out, but it was brief. The Spanish retook the city and killed the emperor Conquest of the Incas Francisco Pizarro set his sights on the Incan empire in Peru. The Incans were weak from a internal war over their government. In 1532, Pizarro captured the Incan emperor Atahualpa and executed him. By 1535, Pizarro controlled much of the Incan empire. The Spanish had superior weapons, and germ warfare greatly helped them, as the Natives had no immunity to the disease the Spanish brought with them. Exploring Spanish Borderlands The borderlands spanned present-day United States from Florida to California. Juan Ponce de Leon explored parts of Florida in 1513 looking for the legendary fountain of youth. Panfilo Narvez’s expedition was shipwrecked in 1528 in the Gulf of Mexico, he and many others died, others were captured by Native Americans. Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca assumed leadership of the group. They escaped their captors in 1533, and wandered across Texas in search of a Spanish settlement, which they finally found in 1536. De Soto and Coronado From 1539 to 1542, Hernando De Soto explored Florida and other parts of the southeast, he reached the Mississippi River, where he later died. Francisco Coronado heard legends about the “seven cities of gold.” In 1540, he led an expedition into the southwestern borderlands. Exploring Arizona and New Mexico. They found no gold, but they did find the Grand Canyon. Settling New Spain When the conquistadors proved to be poor rulers, the Spanish king took away their powers and set up a system of government. In 1535, he divided the American lands into New Spain and Peru. The borderlands were considered part of New Spain. A viceroy in charge of each region to rule in his name. Laws of the Indies A code called the Laws of the Indies stated how the colonies should be organized and ruled. Provided for three kinds of settlements in New Spain: Pueblos- or towns, centers of farming and trade. In the middle of town was a plaza, where business or worship was done. Presidios- forts where soldiers lived. Inside the high, thick walls were shops, stables, and storehouses for food. The soldiers protected the farmers who settled nearby. St Augustine, Florida was built in 1565. Laws of the Indies (continued) Missions-religious settlements run by Catholic priests and friars. Spaniards believed they had a duty to convert Indians to Christianity. Often Indians were forced to live and work on them. The Laws of the Indies also set up a strict social system. The Spanish colonies were divided into four social classes. Peninsulares- top of the social scale, born in Spain, held highest positions in government and the church. Owned large tracks of land, and rich gold and silver mines. Laws of the Indies (continued) Creoles- 2nd on the social scale, born to Spanish parents in the Americas. Many were wealthy and well educated, owned farms and ranches, taught at universities, and practiced law. Could not hold jobs reserved for peninsulares. Mestizos- People of mixed Spanish and Indian heritage. Worked on farms and ranches owned by peninsulares and creoles, carpenters, shoemakers, tailors, and bakers, Indians- lowest class in society, treated as a conquered people. Kept in poverty for hundreds of years. Blend of Cultures A new way of life took shape that blended Spanish and Indian ways. Spanish settlers brought their culture- introducing the language, laws, religion, and learning. In 1551, the Spanish founded the University of Mexico. Native Americans influenced the culture through food, clothing, building materials, and art. Ponchos, moccasins and adobe brick Native American Life Spanish colonists needed workers for their ranches, farms and mines. Given encomiendas- land grants that gave them the right to demand labor or taxes from Native Americans. Spanish forced the Natives to work in gold and silver mines, many died in the harsh conditions during collapses. This led Bartolome de Las Casas, a priest to seek reform, for the poor, hungry, diseased, and mistreated Indians. Petitioned the king to protect them, and they were eventually given the right to own cattle and grow crops, but few people enforced these laws. Slave Trade As the death toll among Native Americans continued to rise, severe work shortages increased. To protect the Native Americans, Bartolome de Las Casas made the suggestion to use Africans brought as slaves to replace the Natives. As they would not catch European diseases and die. He felt they would suffer less, since they were used to hard work. By the time Las Casas died in 1566, he regretted his decision as he saw the Africans suffered as much as the Indians. But by that time it was too late, as slavery was a key part of the economy. Slave Trade (continued) Demand for African labor few rapidly not only in New Spain, but in other places in the Americas. Africans were valued on the sugar plantations in Caribbean and in the Portuguese colony of Brazil. A plantation is a large estate farmed by many workers. Some scholars today estimate that more than 10 million Africans were transported to the Americas between the 1500s and the 1800s. Most were sent to Brazil or the Caribbean, but a total of 500,000 enslaved Africans eventually arrived in the British colonies in North America. Colonizing North America Searching for a Northwest Passage Many Europeans explored North America between the 1400s and 1600s. England, France, and the Netherlands envied Spain’s new empire and they wanted colonies of their own. Throughout the 1500s, European nations continued to look for a new ways to rich Asian riches. Magellan’s route around South America seemed long and difficult. They were trying to find a shorter Northwest Passagewaterway through or around North America. Explorers John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto)- an Italian sea captain who sailed for England, found Newfoundland in 1497 in present day Canada. Giocanni de Verrazano- another Italian who sailed for France. Journeyed along the North American coast from the Carolinas to Canada. Jacques Cartier- also sailed for France, in the 1530s. He traveled up the St. Lawrence river. Henry Hudson- sailed for the Dutch in 1609, explored New York harbor, and the river that now bears his name. Sailed for the English in 1610, and explored what is now Hudson Bay, where his crew rebelled. None found a Northwest Passage but mapped and explored North America Rivalries Among European Nations European nations began to compete for riches around the world. Religious differences heightened their rivalry. Europe was in the midst of the Protestant Reformation. As Europeans settled the Americas they brought their religious conflicts with them. Protestant Queen Elizabeth I encouraged English adventurers to capture Catholic Spain’s treasure fleets and raid their colonies. The Dutch and English rivalry was not over religion as both were Protestant but over control of land and markets. New France Samuel de Champlain- founded the first permanent French settlement in North America in 1605, Port Royal. Three years later he also founded Quebec. New France had little gold or silver, they instead profited from fishing, trapping, and trading. French colonists who lived and worked in the woods became known as coureurs de bois (runners of the woods) In exchange for beaver skins and fur, the French gave the Natives- knives, kettles, cloth, among other items. The French established friendly relations with the Native Americans and did not try to conquer them, in fact many coureurs de bois ended up marrying Indian women. Missionary Work A missionary is a person who goes to a foreign land to win converts for a religion. Catholic missionaries traveled with the fur traders and worked to teach the Native Americans about Christianity. They also drew maps and wrote about the lands they discovered, eventually reaching the Great Lakes. Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet (a fur trader) set out for the Mississippi River in 1673. Exploring the Mississippi River Robert de La Salle- completed the journey Marquette and Joliet started along the Mississippi River and reached the Gulf of Mexico. He named the area Louisiana. To keep the Spanish and English out of Louisiana, the French built forts in the north along the Great Lakes- Fort Detroit, and at the mouth of the Mississippi- New Orleans. French colonists imported thousands of slaves to work on plantations. Government of New France Governed like New Spain- the French king controlled the government directly and people had limited freedom. Louis XIV worried too few French were moving to New France and in the 1600s, he sent about 1,000 farmers including many women. Despite this the colony still grew slowly. Most chose to be coureurs de bois living mostly free of government control. New Netherland The Dutch hoped to profit from discoveries in the Americas. In 1626, Peter Minuit led a group of settlers to the mouth of the Hudson River. He bought Manhattan Island from the local Indians and called his settlement New Amsterdam. Other Dutch colonists settled further up the Hudson. The entire colony was known as New Netherland (New York today). New Amsterdam grew into a busy port, and the Dutch welcomed people from all nations and religions. They establish Fort Orange (now Albany) along the Hudson. The Dutch enlarged their colony in 1655 by taking over New Sweden along the Delaware River. Fur Rivalry Dutch traders sent fur to the Netherlands. They quickly became rivals of the French in the fur trade. They both would seek alliances with the Natives- agreements to protect and aid one another. The Dutch became friends with the Iroquois. The French were friends with Hurons. Fighting would continue for years among the Europeans and their Indian allies. Affect in the New World Dutch brought many customs to the New World- ice skating, St Nicholas birthday, and words- cookies, boss, sleigh, and yachts. European settlement of North America brought change to the Native Americans. Disease killed many, and the fur trade rivalry increased war between tribes, and over trapping of animals. Missionaries tried to convert Natives to Christianity. Natives started using copper kettles, bought muskets and gun powder. The alcohol that was introduced had a harsh affect on Native Americans for many years to come.