Chapter 3Sections 1 & 2

– An Era of Exploration &

Spain Builds an Empire

1st people in the Americas are actually the Vikings

from Scandinavia.

1001 – Leif Ericson reached Newfoundland (Vinland) but

did not stay long

The Viking Voyages

Newfoundland

Late 1400s, Spain wants to get in on Asian spice trade

King Ferdinand & Queen Isabella

agree to fund an expedition for

the Italian Christopher Columbus

3 ships: Santa Maria, Nina & Pinta

90 sailors

October 12, 1492 – lands in islands in Caribbean

Given Title: ADMIRAL OF THE

SEAS

Makes 3 more voyages to New World

1493 – sets up 1st Spanish colony – Hispaniola (Haiti/Dominican Republic)

SIGNIFICANCE:LASTING CONTACT AMONG PEOPLES

OF EUROPE, AFRICA & AMERICAS

EFFECT ON NATIVES?

1.CLAIMED LANDS2.FORCED LABOR3.DIED OF HARSH

CONDITIONS OR DISEASE

Columbus’ voyages mark a

turning point in history

Effect for Europeans

Place to settle, trade & grow

rich

COLUMBIAN EXCHANGE

GLOBAL EXCHANGE

OF GOODS & IDEAS (pg.

71)

TODAY’S RESULT:

½ of the world’s food crops come from plants 1st grown in the

Americas

LATER EXPLORERS

1513 – Vasco Nunez de BalboaExplored Panama & claimed Pacific for Spain

1519 – 1522 Ferdinand Magellan

1st group to circumnavigate the world

Found an ALL water WESTERN route to Asia

EFFECT – found out true size of the Earth

SPANISH CONQUISTADOR

S

1519 – Hernando Cortes

Sailed for Mexico & conquered Aztecs in 1520

- Killed emperor Montezuma & captured

Tenochtitlan – Aztec empire fell

1532 – Francisco Pizarro

Captured Incan emperor

1535 – controlled much of empire

Why are these conquistadors so successful??

1. Superior military equipment2. Natives frightened by

mounted soldiers3. Natives didn’t fight hard

(gods?)4. Diseases

1513 Juan Ponce de Leon

Explored Florida in search of a fountain of

youth

1533 Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca

Traveled by foot over 1,000 miles throughout

the southwestern part of United States

1539-1542 Hernando de Soto

Explored Florida & the Southeast

1st to reach Mississippi River

1540 – Francisco Coronado

Explored southwest borderlands in search of

“seven cities of gold”Reached Grand Canyon

3 types of settlements in New Spain

1. Pueblos – towns (Santa Fe, NM)

2. Presidios – forts (St. Augustine, FL)

3. Missions - religious settlements (El Paso, TX)

4 social classes in New Spain

1. Peninsulares – born in Spain2. Creoles – born in Americas to

Spanish parents3. Mestizos – mixed Spanish &

Indian 4. Indians

Bartolome de Las CasasFought for reform for Natives

1540s – royal government passed laws prohibiting enslavement of Natives but few enforced

de Las Casas suggested using Africans as slaves

Why use African slaves?

1.Immune to disease2.Used to hard labor

RESULT?

1500s – 1800s10 million enslaved Africans brought to

Americas