European/English Explorers PDF

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Name of different explorers in American History and what they found
Lecture notes - Antoinnette Hudson...

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American History 201 SPANISH EXPLORERS (CONQUISTADORES) Christopher Columbus: Was called the “Admiral of the Ocean Sea.” He discovered the new world in 1492, when he sailed westward into the Atlantic Ocean looking for a more direct route to Asia. What he discovered on this voyage was the Bahama Islands. He sailed under the Spanish flag. Ferdinand Magellan: A Portugal mariner, who also sailed under the Spanish flag, discovered a strip of land near the southern tip of South America. This strip of land was named “The Strait of Magellan.” He also named a particular body of water he thought was peaceful, the Pacific Ocean. Vasco de Balboa: In 1513, he crossed the Isthmus of Panama, and as a result became the first known European to see the great body of water that separated China and the American continent. Magellan later called this body of water the Pacific Ocean. Hernando Cortes: Led an expedition of 600 men into Mexico, 300 hundred of those men were Africans. In Mexico he encountered the Aztecs Indians. Cortes first tried to take the Aztecs by military force and failed, but his next attempt was successful, because he and his men infected the Aztecs with a disease (small pox). The infestation of small pox destroyed much of the Aztec population which enabled Cortes to defeat them. Cortes earned the reputation of being the most “brutal” of all the Spanish Conquistadores, because of his harsh treatment of the Aztecs who survived the small pox infection. Montezuma: The Aztecs emperor who strongly resisted Cortes’ attempt to take Mexico City, (the capitol city). Francisco Pizarro: Discovered Peru and conquered the Inca Indians. Hernando de Soto: Became the first white man to cross the Mississippi River. His men later buried him in the Mississippi River after his death. De Soto also explored Alabama. Francisco Coronado: Discovered the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River, which was named for him. Juan Ponce de Leon: Explored Florida in 1513 and 1521, while he was looking for the fountain of youth. St. Augustine, Florida: It was established in 1565, by the Spanish and is the oldest settlement in North America. Bartholomew Dias: Explored the southern tip of Africa also known as “The Cape of Good Hope.” Treaty of Tordesillas: Was issued by Pope Alexander VI, in 1494, between Spain and Portugal. The largest part of the new world (the lion’s share), went to Spain; Portugal received territories in Africa, Asia, as well as what would later become Brazil.

Amerigo Vespucci: An Italian merchant, who sailed for Portugal, was the first to recognize the Americas as a continent. The continent of America is named in honor of Amerigo Vespucci. Bartolome de Las Casas: A Dominican priest who protested the harsh treatment of the NativeAmerican population. He spoke out against these horrors in a publication entitled “In Defense of the Indians.” He was later appointed Protector of the Indians by the king of Spain.

ENGLISH EXPLORER(S) John Cabot: Was the first European explorer to touch North America since the Vikings. He landed in New Foundland, in 1497. His voyage served as the basis for England’s claim to North America.

FRENCH EXPLORER(S) Jacques Cartier: Sailed as far as the St. Lawrence River. He also explored modern-day Quebec and Montreal.

DUTCH (NETHERLAND) EXPLORER(S) Henry Hudson: Discovered the Hudson River, and claimed it for the Dutch (Netherlands)....