Week 8 of 32 • Page 4

UNIT 3: EXPLORATION AND SETTLEMENT

Name ________________________________________ European Exploration WEEK 8

The Race to Settle the Americas

During the Age of Exploration, European powers competed with once again exploring and attempting
one another to colonize and settle as much of the Americas to colonize the eastern coast of
as possible. Spain and France competed to conquer many of Florida. This news angered the
the same territories in North America. This intense competition Spanish. To prevent the French
eventually led to conflict over Texas. from settling the area, King
Spanish explorers claimed much of the land that is now Philip II of Spain sent Pedro
the United States. They did this even though many different Menéndez de Avilés to Florida OUR STATE
American Indian tribes lived on the land before their arrival. The to establish a base. From there,
Spanish empire extended from present-day Florida, along the they could attack the French.
Gulf of Mexico, through present-day Texas. From there, it reached On Sept. 8, 1565, Menéndez

Age of Exploration
all the way to the Pacific Ocean. One of their main goals was de Avilés and his men landed in
to create settlements throughout their empire to ensure they Florida and named the new colony Robert Cavalier,
Sieur de La Salle
remained in control. St. Augustine. This became the first
In 1564, word reached Spanish leaders that the French were permanent European settlement in what
would become the continental United States. Within a For thousands of years, people have ventured the first European to ever do so. He
year, Spain forced the French off the land. from their native lands for new and better entered the Indian Ocean and paved
Following their defeat in Florida, the French shifted opportunities. It wasn’t until the Middle Ages the way for others.
their efforts to exploring and colonizing Canada and that explorers began to venture further into the These events opened the door
areas around the Great Lakes, in present-day Wisconsin unknown world. This period in history is known for further exploration of unknown
and Michigan. Eventually, French explorers traveled as the Age of Exploration. Explorers traveled to lands. European rulers wanted to
farther south, inching closer to the Spanish empire. distant lands in search of resources and riches. expand their empires to new lands.
During much of the late 1600s, explorers established Historians believe that one of the first Many sponsored, or gave money to,
groups of Europeans to visit North America explorers for their expeditions.
trading posts and forts along the Mississippi River and
were the Norse people. Leif Eriksson landed in
the Gulf of Mexico.
Newfoundland, off the coast of what is now
One of these explorers, René Robert Cavelier, Sieur
Canada, in the year 1000. Norse explorers
de La Salle, claimed all of the land drained by the great
established a settlement there but abandoned it
Mississippi River for France. He called it the Louisiana
after just two years. They were not interested in
Territory. This was a huge claim because thousands
returning to Newfoundland. This meant news of
of rivers, from the Appalachian Mountains in the east
exploring the Americas didn't reach Europe.
to the Rocky Mountains in the west, drain into the
In 1271, an Italian explorer named Marco
United States in 1753 Mississippi River. Much of this territory was already
Polo traveled to China in search of riches. He
claimed by the Spanish. France’s claim to the land led to
spent 20 years in China before returning to Italy.
further tensions between the two nations.
Upon his return, Polo spoke of the wonders of
Mongol China. He told of worms that spun silk,
black stones that burned, water clocks, and
paper money. He spoke of a great wall and a

The First European Settlement in Texas grand canal. All of these things were unheard
of in Europe.
Prince Henry the Navigator, the son of the
For much of the 1600s, France and Spain were at war with one La Salle’s expedition suffered many setbacks from the start. King of Portugal, was fascinated with geography
another over land and the right to control territories in Europe and One of his ships, the Saint François, was captured by Spanish and exploration. He started the first school of
the Americas. Their rivalry extended to Texas and both countries privateers near the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea. La Salle’s navigation in Sagres, Portugal. Prince Henry
hoped to gain control of the area. In 1632, Spanish missionaries supply ship, called the Aimable, sank off the coast Texas. Following also designed a new sailing vessel, the caravel.
established the first Christian mission in Texas near present day San the destruction of their supply ship, about 120 settlers returned The caravel was of tremendous importance
Angelo. The mission only lasted 6 months because of its remote to France with one of the two remaining ships. Despite these in sea exploration. From 1444 to 1446, Prince
location and distance from Spanish settlements in New Spain. setbacks, La Salle finally landed at Matagorda Bay, about 100 miles Henry sponsored about 40 ships to explore
In 1680, members of various Pueblo tribes in present-day New southwest of present-day Houston, not knowing that he was in the west coast of Africa. He yearned to add to
Mexico rebelled against Spanish rule. Some settlers and members Texas. the geographic knowledge of the time. He also
of the Tigua tribe migrated east and established a mission called The primary goal of La Salle’s expedition was to build a fort and wanted to find a trade route to the Far East for
Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo near present-day El Paso. This was the first settlement that would prevent the Spanish from settling the area. easier access to Asia's resources.
successful mission in what is now Texas. Despite their lack of In 1488, the Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu
The French government hoped to establish a settlement near supplies, the colonists Dias reached the southern tip of Africa. He was
Texas to disrupt Spanish shipping operations in Mexico. In 1684, constructed a fort along
René Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle sailed from France with four Garcitas Creek called
ships and 300 colonists to establish a settlement near the mouth Fort Saint Louis. Many
of the Mississippi River. colonists died within
their first few months
at the settlement due Motives and Movement
to overwork, disease, Why did people want to explore the great God
and a lack of food. In seas? Why did people want to colonize Religion was very important to many
October 1685, La Salle new lands? Many came for different countries. Some explorers wanted
led an expedition west reasons. Many wanted to find a safer to bring their beliefs to the people of
La Salle's Expedition to Louisiana in
into the Louisiana 1684, painted in 1844 by Theodore Gudin. route for trade between Europe the Americas. Many Portuguese and
Territory to gather and Asia. In addition to finding a Spanish explorers wanted to spread
supplies and more safer trade route, many European the beliefs of Christianity and convert native
ships, leaving 20 settlers at Fort Saint Louis. countries wanted more from peoples to their religion.
La Salle did not locate any French settlements, but was able to their voyages. Each voyage was
trade with the Caddo tribe of Texas. This small stroke of luck did funded for a specific purpose. Glory
not last. In March 1687, La Salle’s men refused to continue their Those purposes are often Europe is made of many countries. These countries
journey and La Salle was killed during a confrontation with one referred to as the three Gs: Gold, competed to claim land in the Americas. It was a
of his men. In December 1688, the Karankawa tribe attacked Fort God, and Glory. race for explorers and settlers from each country to
Saint Louis. Most of the settlers died, but some were taken prisoner
start a colony. Many explorers hoped to gain fame
and lived with Karankawa for many years. Fort Saint Louis was Gold across the globe for their courageous actions and
destroyed, along with the hopes of establishing a French colony in Many explorers were seeking riches for themselves and their daring expeditions.
French 1701 Map shows locations of Fort Saint Louis Texas. La Salle’s attempts to settle a colony in Texas encouraged country. They searched for gold and other precious metals that Together, these motivations gave rise to the Age
and American Indian villages found by La Salle during his the Spanish to reclaim the territory and create a thriving
explorations of the coastal areas of the United States. they could send back to Europe. These precious materials would of Exploration.
settlement of their own. be turned into coins, jewelry, and many other fine objects.
 Week 8 of 32 • Page 3

Explorers The Columbian Exchange

Powerful rulers often sent explorers to expand their empires. From the late 1400s to the mid-1700s, the rulers of Spain, France,
The Columbian Exchange was the sharing of plants, animals, ideas, Explorers also brought animals with them to the Americas. The
England, and the Netherlands fought to control new lands worldwide. Many explorers were sent to the Americas. They were
and technology between Europe and the Americas. European powers, Spanish brought pigs, sheep, cows, and chickens to the Americas.
sent to establish colonies, obtain new resources, and create trade routes. such as Spain, Portugal, England, France, and the Netherlands, Over time, hogs and cattle replaced bison and deer at mealtimes.
Christopher Columbus John Cabot collected raw materials from the Americas. Then, the materials This helped keep settlers alive.
were sent to Europe to be processed into goods. These were then
In 1492, an Italian sailor named After Columbus reached islands
exchanged for other products from around the world. Plants
Christopher Columbus sailed in the Caribbean, John Cabot Sugarcane was one of the important plants that settlers brought
across the Atlantic Ocean with became interested in finding a Food and Livestock to the Americas through the Columbian Exchange. It thrived in
three ships. Spain’s rulers, King shorter route across the ocean Europeans came to America searching for gold. One of the things many areas of the Americas and was sent back to Europe through
Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella through the North Atlantic. they unexpectedly found as they interacted with the indigenous trade. Europe also introduced oranges to North America. Columbus
I, gave Columbus the money and England paid Cabot to sail people were new crops. Corn was a very useful crop for early settlers. introduced citrus fruit to the Americas.
equipment he needed to make the across the Atlantic in 1497. Like It was easy to grow, animals could eat it, and it grew where wheat Explorers brought many plants from the Americas to Europe
trip. His goal was to find a faster Columbus, Cabot thought he had and rice could not. American Indians taught Europeans about corn’s through their travels. Tobacco was an important plant discovered by
trade route between Europe and landed in Asia, but he landed in many benefits. Potatoes were another important crop introduced to the early settlers. It was popular in American Indian ceremonies.
Asia. Although he never arrived present day Canada. Europeans by American Indians.
in Asia, Columbus did sail straight Although Cabot didn’t reach In exchange for corn and potatoes, Europeans brought wheat, Technology
into land that Europeans would call the “New World.” Asia, his voyage proved a northern route to the Americas was rye, barley, and oats to the indigenous peoples of the Americas. The Europeans came to the Americas with horses and tools used in
These grains helped add many new foods to the diet of American their daily life. These were new to the American Indians. When the
Columbus triumphantly returned to Spain seven months possible. Cabot explored areas on the Canadian coast, like
Indians. Today, America is so successful at growing and producing Europeans returned home, they left many things in the Americas. This
after he left. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella were pleased Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador. He claimed the east grains that people have nicknamed the United States the made more room in their ships for the goods they had taken.
to hear of Columbus’ adventures and discoveries. Columbus’ coast of North America along with all fishing rights for England. “breadbasket of the world.” American Indians began to use the tools and animals that were
explorations marked a turning point in history. People from left behind. Cattle were used to move heavy things
different parts of the world began to communicate and trade Juan Ponce de León or plow fields. The American Indians made a special
with each other. Juan Ponce de León was the connection with horses. They learned to use them to
first man from Spain to explore make life easier. Horses helped make hunting easier. They
Jacques Cartier the state of Florida. In 1513, his made travel easier. Horses were used as trade for wants
In 1534, King Francis I of France ships landed near the present and needs. Horses changed the lives of the American
sent sailor Jacques Cartier to find day city of St. Augustine. Some Indians.
a direct water route to Asia. There people believe he hoped to find Europeans also left behind important tools that
was no such water passage for the “Fountain of Youth.” He changed the way native peoples lived. Before European
exploration, American Indians used resources found
anyone to find. Cartier instead landed in present-day Florida. He
in their environment to create tools. Europeans
discovered Newfoundland in didn’t find the Fountain of Youth. brought with them metal tools that were unknown
Canada. He also claimed land for However, Ponce de León claimed to American Indians. This included cooking
France around a river he named the land of Florida for Spain. utensils, pots, pans, axes, and knives. The most
the Saint Lawrence. The river He named the land in honor of the Spanish holiday Pascua life-changing tools that Europeans brought
flowed past a large hill that Cartier Florida. This means the Feast of Flowers. to the Americas were guns. Guns had a large
named Mont Real, which is French impact on the way that American Indians
for “King’s Mountain.” It’s now the city of Montreal. Samuel de Champlain The Columbian Exchange hunted and defended themselves.
Cartier explored present-day Canada and claimed its land In 1609, Samuel de Champlain
for France. Settlers tried establishing a colony there, but it explored the northeastern part
failed. The settlers didn’t get along with the native peoples of of North America and brought
the area. Also, they couldn’t stand the harsh winters. France settlers to Quebec, Canada.
didn’t send another explorer to that region for 70 years. Quebec is one of the oldest cities
of European origin in Canada.
Henry Hudson
Henry Hudson was an English sea
People still live there today.
Champlain traded furs with the Effects of European Exploration
captain and explorer. He started Huron and helped them fight the to change the native peoples to be like called plantations. Enslaved people lived
off as a failure. He sailed on two Iroquois. He sailed through the Europeans, including converting them very difficult lives. Many were abused
voyages for England to find a Great Lakes and discovered Lake to Christianity. Many beliefs, practices, and separated from their families. They
northeast water route to the rich Champlain. Champlain was a skilled and even places for native peoples were had no freedom and lived in very bad
spice trade in Asia. Both times, the cartographer and a good writer. destroyed by Europeans, because they conditions. Enslaved people would
icy northern seas blocked his way. did not agree with them. Native peoples work 16 hours a day doing hard labor
He had to return home defeated. resisted and often fought back, leading for no money. They were considered
Hudson convinced the Dutch to wars with Europeans in New England. property. Enslaved people were bought
East India Company to hire him by plantation owners as soon as they
for exactly the same expedition. Slavery were brought to America. The majority
Atlantic triangular trade
In 1609, Hudson and his crew sailed west across the As Europeans began to colonize the of enslaved people were Africans. A
of enslaved people
Atlantic. He reached North America, landing on the island Americas more, the market for free small number of indigenous people were
we know today as Manhattan, New York. He sailed inland Goods weren’t the only things introduced labor increased. European slave traders enslaved.
up a wide river and explored the surrounding valley. to Europe and the Americas during the from Portugal, France, England, and the
It wasn’t a passage to Asia, but Hudson’s Columbian Exchange. Netherlands bought men, women, and Disease
explorations allowed the Dutch to claim the land. The children from West Africa. The slave Europeans brought many diseases to
Dutch then built a fur trading post there in 1614. Beliefs traders packed their ships with the the Americas. These diseases included
The indigenous peoples of the Americas people from West Africa and made the smallpox, measles, and influenza. These
had very different beliefs than dangerous journey across the Atlantic diseases were very deadly for native
Europeans. A shared belief among tribes Ocean. Many Africans died before they people. Native peoples had no immunity
was that everything in their environment reached the Americas. to these diseases and they spread very
was alive and treated with respect. The Wealthy businessmen took advantage quickly and easily in their communities.
Europeans did not have the same beliefs of the slave market to increase their Millions of native peoples died from
as indigenous peoples. These differences wealth. Crops like sugarcane, tobacco, these diseases. These diseases were still
in beliefs would lead to future conflict and cotton were all grown and required affecting tribes in the late 1800s.
between them. a great amount of work. The farms
Europeans thought it was their duty where enslaved people worked were

Havana, 1671
Week 8 of 32 • Page 4
UNIT 3: EXPLORATION AND SETTLEMENT

Name ________________________________________ European Exploration WEEK 8

The Race to Settle the Americas

During the Age of Exploration, European powers competed with once again exploring and attempting
one another to colonize and settle as much of the Americas to colonize the eastern coast of
as possible. Spain and France competed to conquer many of Florida. This news angered the
the same territories in North America. This intense competition Spanish. To prevent the French
eventually led to conflict over Texas. from settling the area, King
Spanish explorers claimed much of the land that is now Philip II of Spain sent Pedro
the United States. They did this even though many different Menéndez de Avilés to Florida OUR STATE
American Indian tribes lived on the land before their arrival. The to establish a base. From there,
Spanish empire extended from present-day Florida, along the they could attack the French.
Gulf of Mexico, through present-day Texas. From there, it reached On Sept. 8, 1565, Menéndez

Age of Exploration
all the way to the Pacific Ocean. One of their main goals was de Avilés and his men landed in
to create settlements throughout their empire to ensure they Florida and named the new colony Robert Cavalier,
Sieur de La Salle
remained in control. St. Augustine. This became the first
In 1564, word reached Spanish leaders that the French were permanent European settlement in what
would become the continental United States. Within a For thousands of years, people have ventured the first European to ever do so. He
year, Spain forced the French off the land. from their native lands for new and better entered the Indian Ocean and paved
Following their defeat in Florida, the French shifted opportunities. It wasn’t until the Middle Ages the way for others.
their efforts to exploring and colonizing Canada and that explorers began to venture further into the These events opened the door
areas around the Great Lakes, in present-day Wisconsin unknown world. This period in history is known for further exploration of unknown
and Michigan. Eventually, French explorers traveled as the Age of Exploration. Explorers traveled to lands. European rulers wanted to
farther south, inching closer to the Spanish empire. distant lands in search of resources and riches. expand their empires to new lands.
During much of the late 1600s, explorers established Historians believe that one of the first Many sponsored, or gave money to,
groups of Europeans to visit North America explorers for their expeditions.
trading posts and forts along the Mississippi River and
were the Norse people. Leif Eriksson landed in
the Gulf of Mexico.
Newfoundland, off the coast of what is now
One of these explorers, René Robert Cavelier, Sieur
Canada, in the year 1000. Norse explorers
de La Salle, claimed all of the land drained by the great
established a settlement there but abandoned it
Mississippi River for France. He called it the Louisiana
after just two years. They were not interested in
Territory. This was a huge claim because thousands
returning to Newfoundland. This meant news of
of rivers, from the Appalachian Mountains in the east
exploring the Americas didn't reach Europe.
to the Rocky Mountains in the west, drain into the
In 1271, an Italian explorer named Marco
United States in 1753 Mississippi River. Much of this territory was already
Polo traveled to China in search of riches. He
claimed by the Spanish. France’s claim to the land led to
spent 20 years in China before returning to Italy.
further tensions between the two nations.
Upon his return, Polo spoke of the wonders of
Mongol China. He told of worms that spun silk,
black stones that burned, water clocks, and
paper money. He spoke of a great wall and a

The First European Settlement in Texas grand canal. All of these things were unheard
of in Europe.
Prince Henry the Navigator, the son of the
For much of the 1600s, France and Spain were at war with one La Salle’s expedition suffered many setbacks from the start. King of Portugal, was fascinated with geography
another over land and the right to control territories in Europe and One of his ships, the Saint François, was captured by Spanish and exploration. He started the first school of
the Americas. Their rivalry extended to Texas and both countries privateers near the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea. La Salle’s navigation in Sagres, Portugal. Prince Henry
hoped to gain control of the area. In 1632, Spanish missionaries supply ship, called the Aimable, sank off the coast Texas. Following also designed a new sailing vessel, the caravel.
established the first Christian mission in Texas near present day San the destruction of their supply ship, about 120 settlers returned The caravel was of tremendous importance
Angelo. The mission only lasted 6 months because of its remote to France with one of the two remaining ships. Despite these in sea exploration. From 1444 to 1446, Prince
location and distance from Spanish settlements in New Spain. setbacks, La Salle finally landed at Matagorda Bay, about 100 miles Henry sponsored about 40 ships to explore
In 1680, members of various Pueblo tribes in present-day New southwest of present-day Houston, not knowing that he was in the west coast of Africa. He yearned to add to
Mexico rebelled against Spanish rule. Some settlers and members Texas. the geographic knowledge of the time. He also
of the Tigua tribe migrated east and established a mission called The primary goal of La Salle’s expedition was to build a fort and wanted to find a trade route to the Far East for
Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo near present-day El Paso. This was the first settlement that would prevent the Spanish from settling the area. easier access to Asia's resources.
successful mission in what is now Texas. Despite their lack of In 1488, the Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu
The French government hoped to establish a settlement near supplies, the colonists Dias reached the southern tip of Africa. He was
Texas to disrupt Spanish shipping operations in Mexico. In 1684, constructed a fort along
René Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle sailed from France with four Garcitas Creek called
ships and 300 colonists to establish a settlement near the mouth Fort Saint Louis. Many
of the Mississippi River. colonists died within
their first few months
at the settlement due Motives and Movement
to overwork, disease, Why did people want to explore the great God
and a lack of food. In seas? Why did people want to colonize Religion was very important to many
October 1685, La Salle new lands? Many came for different countries. Some explorers wanted
led an expedition west reasons. Many wanted to find a safer to bring their beliefs to the people of
La Salle's Expedition to Louisiana in
into the Louisiana 1684, painted in 1844 by Theodore Gudin. route for trade between Europe the Americas. Many Portuguese and
Territory to gather and Asia. In addition to finding a Spanish explorers wanted to spread
supplies and more safer trade route, many European the beliefs of Christianity and convert native
ships, leaving 20 settlers at Fort Saint Louis. countries wanted more from peoples to their religion.
La Salle did not locate any French settlements, but was able to their voyages. Each voyage was
trade with the Caddo tribe of Texas. This small stroke of luck did funded for a specific purpose. Glory
not last. In March 1687, La Salle’s men refused to continue their Those purposes are often Europe is made of many countries. These countries
journey and La Salle was killed during a confrontation with one referred to as the three Gs: Gold, competed to claim land in the Americas. It was a
of his men. In December 1688, the Karankawa tribe attacked Fort God, and Glory. race for explorers and settlers from each country to
Saint Louis. Most of the settlers died, but some were taken prisoner
start a colony. Many explorers hoped to gain fame
and lived with Karankawa for many years. Fort Saint Louis was Gold across the globe for their courageous actions and
destroyed, along with the hopes of establishing a French colony in Many explorers were seeking riches for themselves and their daring expeditions.
French 1701 Map shows locations of Fort Saint Louis Texas. La Salle’s attempts to settle a colony in Texas encouraged country. They searched for gold and other precious metals that Together, these motivations gave rise to the Age
and American Indian villages found by La Salle during his the Spanish to reclaim the territory and create a thriving
explorations of the coastal areas of the United States. they could send back to Europe. These precious materials would of Exploration.
settlement of their own. be turned into coins, jewelry, and many other fine objects.