1.3 - European Exploration in the Americas

Background

• Lack of Initial Contact: Until the late 1400s, there was no interaction between the Americas and Europe, Africa, or Asia.

• Viking Visits: Early visits by Vikings around the year 1000 had no lasting impact.

• Columbus's Voyages: Marked the beginning of sustained contact across the Atlantic.

Factors Promoting Exploration

1. Changes in Thought and Technology

   • Renaissance: Sparked a revival in classical learning and scientific curiosity.

   • Technological Advances:

     • Gunpowder: Originated from China.

     • Sailing Compass: Adopted from Arab merchants.

     • Shipbuilding and Mapmaking: Saw significant improvements.

     • Printing Press: Invented in the 1450s, facilitating the spread of knowledge.

2. Religious Conflict

   • Catholic Victory in Spain:

     • Reconquista: Spanish Christians reconquered Spain from Muslim Moors, culminating in 1492.

     • Isabella and Ferdinand: Their marriage united Spain and led to the sponsorship of Columbus.

   • Protestant Reformation:

     • Protestant Revolt: Began in the early 1500s, leading to religious wars.

     • Spread of Christianity: Both Catholics and Protestants aimed to spread their faith to new lands.

3. Expanding Trade

   • Economic Motives: European kingdoms competed for trade routes with Africa, India, and China.

   • New Trade Routes:

     • Blocked Overland Route: The Ottoman Turks' control of Constantinople in 1453 prompted the search for sea routes.

     • Portuguese Exploration: Led by Prince Henry the Navigator, opened a sea route around Africa to Asia.

     • Vasco da Gama: Reached India by sea in 1498.

     • Columbus's Attempts: Aimed to find a westward route to Asia, leading to the discovery of the Americas.

4. Slave Trading

• Portuguese Initiatives: Began trading enslaved people from West Africa in the 15th century.

• Sugar Plantations: Used enslaved labor on islands off the African coast, a model later applied in the Americas.

Just remember: God, Glory, and Gold.

Dividing the Americas

1. Spanish and Portuguese Claims

   • Papal Line of Demarcation (1493): Divided the Americas between Spain (west) and Portugal (east).

   • Treaty of Tordesillas (1494): Adjusted the line, giving Portugal Brazil and Spain the rest of the Americas.

2. English Claims

   • John Cabot (1497): Explored Newfoundland but England delayed further exploration due to internal issues.

   • Queen Elizabeth I's Era: English privateers like Sir Francis Drake attacked Spanish ships and settlements.

   • Failed Colonization: Sir Walter Raleigh's Roanoke settlement attempt in 1587.

3. French Claims

   • Giovanni da Verrazzano (1524): Explored North America's eastern coast.

   • Jacques Cartier (1534–1542): Explored the St. Lawrence River.

   • Slow Colonization: French internal conflicts delayed American colonization until the 17th century.

Map of European Land Claims in North America in the 1600s

• Spanish Claims: Included Florida, New Mexico, and parts of present-day Mexico.

• French Claims: Centered around the St. Lawrence River and parts of Canada.

• English Claims: Focused on the eastern coast of North America.