U.S. History I - Exploration and Early Colonization - Quick Guides

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Study GuideU.S. History I–Exploration and Early Colonization1. Columbus and the Spanish ExplorationsChristopher Columbus and the Spanish explorations marked thebeginning of sustained Europeancontact with the Americasand laid the groundwork for Spain’s vast empire in the WesternHemisphere.1.1Christopher Columbus: Motives and MiscalculationsChristopher Columbus was aGenoese (Italian) sailorwho believed that sailing west across theAtlantic was the fastest route to Asia. His plan was based on two major errors:•Hedid not know the Americas existed•Hegreatly underestimated the size of the Earth, believing Japan was only about 3,000miles west of EuropeColumbus sought financial backing from several European powers. Portugal rejected him twice, andEngland and France were uninterested. Spain eventually agreed to support his plan in part because:•Spain had just completed theReconquistaby capturing Granada in 1492•Ferdinand and Isabella were eager to expand Spanish power and influence overseasWith help from supporters at court, Columbus convinced the Spanish monarchs to fund hisexpedition.1.2The Voyages of Columbus•First voyage (1492–1493):Columbus sailed withthree ships and 87 men, leaving on August 2, 1492. On October 12, helanded on an island in the Bahamas, naming itSan Salvador. He later exploredCubaandHispaniola, where gold was found.•Second voyage (1493–1496):

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Study GuideSpain financed a much larger expedition of17 ships and over 1,200 men. Columbus exploredPuerto Rico and Jamaicaand established thefirst permanent Spanish settlementonHispaniola.•Third voyage (1498–1500):Columbus explored theCaribbean and the northern coast of South America.•Fourth voyage (1502–1504):He explored thecoast of Central America.Despite multiple voyages, Columbusnever accepted that he had reached a new continent,believing instead that he had arrived in the “Indies.”1.3Spain, Portugal, and the Treaty of TordesillasColumbus’s discoveries raised fears of conflict betweenSpain and Portugal, the two leadingmaritime powers.•In1493, Pope Alexander VI issued an edict granting Spain lands west of an imaginary Atlanticline.•Portugal objected, leading to theTreaty of Tordesillas (1494), which moved the line fartherwest.•This agreement unintentionally placedBrazilin the Portuguese sphere. In 1500,PedroCabralreached the Brazilian coast.1.4Amerigo Vespucci and the Naming of AmericaUnlike Columbus,Amerigo Vespuccirealized that the lands encountered were not part of Asia butan entirely“New World.”In1507, a map was published labeling the new continents“America”in his honor.1.5Spanish Conquests in Central and South AmericaIn the decades after Columbus, Spain built a vast empire stretching fromMexico to South Americaand into the Pacific.

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Study Guide•Ferdinand Magellan’s voyage (1519–1522)proved the true size of the Earth and helpedestablish Spanish claims in thePhilippines.•Hernán Cortésconquered theAztec Empire(1519–1521) by:oExploiting internal divisionsoForming alliances with local enemies of the AztecsoUsing horses and superior weapons•Francisco Pizarrodefeated theInca Empire(1531–1533) with fewer than 200 men, aidedby civil war within the empire.Other native cultures in Central America fell soon afterward.1.6Conquistadors and Native PeoplesSpanish conquerors, known asconquistadors, were primarily interested ingold and silver, notsettlement. They relied on Native labor for:•Sugar plantations in the Caribbean•Mining operations in Mexico and PeruAlthough critics such asBartolomé de Las Casasspoke out against mistreatment of Native peoples,diseasecaused the greatest devastation. Smallpox, measles, and other illnesses killed millions.Labor shortages led Spain to begin importingAfrican slaves as early as 1503.1.7Spain in North AmericaSpanish exploration extended into what is now the United States:•Juan Ponce de Leónexplored Florida in 1513 while searching for the “Fountain of Youth.”•Pánfilo de Narváezexplored the Gulf Coast in 1528; survivors led byCabeza de Vacacrossed Texas and the Southwest.•Hernando de Sototraveled from Florida across the Southeast and into the Mississippi Valley(1539–1543), spreading smallpox.•Francisco Vásquez de Coronadosearched for theSeven Cities of Cíbola(1541–1543),reaching present-day Kansas; his expedition discovered theGrand Canyon.

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Study Guide•Juan Rodríguez Cabrilloexplored the California coast.The most lasting results of Spanish exploration were the founding of:•St. Augustine, Florida (1565)—the oldest permanent European settlement in the U.S.•Santa Fe, New Mexico (1609)2. French and Dutch ExplorationsFrench fishermen were already sailing to the waters nearNewfoundlandas early as1504to catchcod. However, fishing was not the main reason France sponsored major exploration. Instead,KingFrancis Iwanted to find anorthwest passage to Asia, which he hoped would lead to trade andwealth.In1524, Italian explorerGiovanni da Verrazano, sailing for France, explored theAtlantic coast ofNorth Americafrom present-dayNorth Carolina to Nova Scotiawhile searching for this passage.2.1Jacques Cartier and French Claims to CanadaThe same goal guidedJacques Cartier, who madethree voyages between 1534 and 1542. Cartier:•Explored theGulf of St. Lawrence•Discovered and sailed along theSt. Lawrence River•Helped establish France’s future claim toCanadaMembers of Cartier’s expedition founded ashort-lived settlement near present-day Quebec, but itdid not last.2.2Failed French Colonies and Religious ConflictFrance also attempted to create colonies farther south:•South Carolina (1562–1564)•Florida (1564–1565)These colonies were established byFrench Huguenots, who were Protestants. However, none ofthese settlements succeeded.

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