European Exploration

Reading Notes

Spain sent
explorers,
such as
Columbus,
Cortes and
Pizzaro, to

Most Spanish
settlers searched
for gold.
Indians died from
European
diseases.
Slave traders

New
World:
the name
European
s called
North and
South
America
because
these
lands

The Spanish treated the Indians harshly.

Cortes & Pizarro conquered and took gold
from the Aztec and Inca Indians.
Europeans brought diseases that killed
many Indians.

Ponce de
Leon and
Coronado
explored and
claimed land
for Spain.

Spanish soldiers
built presidios
(forts) to protect
their claimed
lands.
Catholic priests
built missions to
convert Indians to

Spain
Goals:
find western route
to Asia, find riches
(gold), establish
colonies
Treatment of
Indians:
Indians learned to use new tools, grow new foods, mostly harsh,
violent
and raise livestock (sheep, cows, horses)
Spanish learned new ways to grow crops.
Results:
Spanish treated the Indians harshly.
Found riches,
Many Indians dies from European diseases.
established
colonies, no

Color the
Spanish
claimed
lands on
your map.

French explorers,
such as Cartier and
de La Salle,
claimed lands in
Canada, along the
Mississippi River,
and in Louisiana.

Fur trappers, called

coureurs de bois,
and missionaries
came to New
France to get rich
and convert
Indians to

France
GOALS:
find the
northwest
passage to
Asia
Start trade
with Indians
Establish
colonies

The French became business

partners with the Indians,
especially the Huron.
European diseases killed many

Treatment of
Indians:
friendly, trading
partners
Results:
started trade,
established

Color the
French
claimed
lands on
your map.

Hudson and
Minuit explored
and claimed
land on the east
coast of North
America for the

Started a fur
trade with
Indians.
The Dutch
colony was
taken over by
English and
renamed New

Netherlands
GOALS:
find the
northwest
passage to
Asia
Start trade
with Indians
Establish
colonies

The Dutch were mostly friendly with

their Indian neighbors, especially the
Iroquois.

Treatment of
Indians:
mostly friendly,
trading partners
Results:
started trade,

Color the
Dutch and
English
claimed
lands on
your map.