The Exploration and Settlement of America

Collection 1- Coming to America

Background Information

History connects to the pieces of text we read

If you understand the history, the text will make more sense!

Reason:

Spain, England, and France were the countries that explored and settled most of the Americas in the 1400s

European countries created a rich mixture of cultures that vary and shape American history

Exploration and Settlement: Overview

1492- Christopher Columbus’s voyage to Caribbean marked the beginning of contact between Europeans and Native AmericansMany made contact from Canada to South America

Native Americans had been living there for thousands of yearsThey adapted to diverse environments

Interactions began nicely… didn’t stay that wayNewcomers brought diseases- more deadly than

weapons

European Contact with North America

English weren’t the first there, but their 13 colonies established the United States

They relied on private trading companies to establish their presence

The Virginia Company 1607- established the first permanent English settlement in Jamestown, VA.

English Settlements

People who settled there = Puritans

Puritans = Protestant reformers who wanted to “purify” the Church of EnglandAt this time, what was the church doing that

they didn’t agree with?

Didn’t really work for a lot of people in England, so some people wanted to separate completely Which is why they went to America

English Settlements cont.

1620- William Bradford helped bring almost 100 people to America on the Mayflower

Puritan beliefs- helped set up camp

Beliefs = value hard work, thrift, and responsibility

What modern group of American people base their lives largely on these ideals?

English Settlements cont.

Largely based in Pennsylvania

The Amish!

Spain’s new territory- north of the Isthmus of Panema up to California

Spain and France in the New America

Spanish wanted to gain glory and richesAlso convert people to Christianity

Strongest in central Mexico

Also establish in St. Augustine, Sante Fe, Caribbean

Language and culture has lasting impact on regions

Their desire to exploit riches of the territory led to forced labor and abuse of Native Americans

Spain and France in the New America Cont.

1520s- fishing expeditions led France to Americas

Settlements along St. Lawrence River in Canada

A lot less of them than Europeans or SpanishLess likely to come into contact w/ Native Americans

Mostly trappers and fur traders

1673- first explorers to travel the upper Mississippi River

1682- explored all the way down the river to Gulf of Mexico. Claimed it for King Louis XIV, calling is Louisiana

Spain and France in the New America cont.

Native Americans- not written, but mostly oral traditionsPassed down histories, myths,

legendsMany stories lost when older people

died of diseasesSome old stories survived- modern

Native American writers use them in their own stories

European writers- motivated by belief about their role in God’s planIncludes historical narratives

(stories), sermons, and poems

Early American Literature