The Northwest Passage Countries like England and France sailed the North Atlantic Ocean looking for a water route through North America to Asia.

This water route was known as the Northwest Passage.We know now that this water route did not exist.

The English and French explorers claimed land on the North American continent while looking for the Northwest Passage.

EXPLORERS

Vasco da Gama – First person to find an all water route to Asia

Christopher Columbus– Believed he could find a faster water route to Asia by sailing west. He discovers island in the Caribbean “America”.

Amerigo Vespucci– First to realize that they hadn’t found Asia but a whole new continent. The Americas are named after him

John Cabot – Explored the East coast of the North American continent and claimed land for England while looking for a Northwest Passage.

Hernando Cortez – Was a Spanish Conquistador that conquered the Aztecs of Mexico. He killed their leader, Montezuma, and stole all their gold.

Francisco Pizarro– Was a Spanish Conquistador that conquered the Incans of Peru in South America. He killed their leader and then stole all their gold.

Ferdinand Magellan – First person credited with sailing around the

world. He, however, did not make it all the way around the world he was

killed in the Philippines.

A. European Explorers claimed land in North America for the country they were exploring for.

B. Spain, England, France, and Holland (the Dutch) all claimed land on the North American continent.

C. All of these countries wanted land and hopefully gold from the new world

Why did they expect to find gold in the New World?

Land Claims & Riches