The document outlines early European exploration of North America led by Spain, France, England, and the Dutch in the 15th-17th centuries. It describes Columbus' voyage for Spain in 1492 and later Spanish conquistadors like Cortes and Coronado who explored Mexico and the Southwest. It also summarizes early French explorers like Cartier and missionaries Marquette and Joliet who explored the Great Lakes region and Mississippi River, as well as early English and Dutch voyages led by figures like Cabot and Hudson.

1. SPAIN
Columbus Lands in America CORTES AND CORONADO
EXPLORE AMERICA
1. What does the MAP show? 1. What does the MAP show?
2. How did COLUMBUS believe he could get to the East? 2. GOALS: Why did SPAIN support these explorers on their
missions?
3. What areas did CORTES explore?
3. How were King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of SPAIN
persuaded to fund COLUMBUS’ voyage?
4. How did CORTES and the AZTECS interact?
4. What type of people did COLUMBUS encounter upon 5. What did CORONADO search for?
landing in the Bahaman Islands and what was his reaction?
6. What did he discover?

2. France
Jacques Cartier Explores America Marquette & Joliet explore the
upper Mississippi river
1. What does the MAP show? 1. What does the MAP show?
2. Why was Jacques MARQUETTE sent to America and HOW
did he INTERACT with the Native Americans?
2. GOALS: Why did the FRENCH king send explorers to
America?
3. Why did JOLIET ask MARQUETTE to join his expedition to
explore the MISSISSIPPI River?
3. How did CARTIER and the IROQUOIS interact?
4. Who built the GREAT MOUNDS along the Mississippi River?
5. Why did MARQUETTE and JOLIET turn back?

3. England and the Dutch
The Voyage of John Cabot (1497) The voyage of Henry Hudson
(Giovanni caboto) (1609)
1. What does the MAP show? 1. What does the MAP show?
2. GOALS: Why did ENGLISH rulers and merchants fund 2. GOALS: Why did DUTCH rulers and merchants fund
exploration? exploration?
3. Who was John Cabot? 3. Why did HUDSON’S ship, the Half Moon, turn south instead
of north in 1609?
4. What was CABOT searching for?
4. What ended HUDSON’s exploration of the Hudson River?
5. What were the results of his exploration in 1497?
5. What areas did the DUTCH claim as a result of HUDSON’s
voyage?

4. SPAIN
Columbus Lands in America CORTES AND CORONADO
EXPLORE AMERICA
1. What does the MAP show? 1. What does the MAP show?
Voyage of Columbus’ 3 ships, Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria, across Exploration of Mexico and SW America by Spanish
the Atlantic to America conquistadors (SPANISH CONQUEROR), Cortes and Coronado
2. GOALS: Why did SPAIN support these explorers on their
missions?
2. How did COLUMBUS believe he could get to the East? Building an empire by claiming more land and
searching for gold and other riches
By sailing west across the Atlantic he could reach the east and
its riches 3. What areas did CORTES explore?
Mexico – the Aztec empire
4. How did CORTES and the AZTECS interact?
3. How were King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of SPAIN Aztecs initially welcomed Cortes as a god
persuaded to fund COLUMBUS’ voyage? Cortes arrested the Aztec emperor, Montezuma;
destroyed temples, stole riches, and conquered the
Counselors persuaded them that if Columbus was Aztecs through aggression
correct, Spain & Catholic Church = benefit (spices,
jewels, and GOLD!) 5. What did CORONADO search for?
The mythical golden city, Cibola
4. What type of people did COLUMBUS encounter upon
landing in the Bahaman Islands and what was his reaction? 6. What did he discover?
Friendly and generous Native Americans who spoke Pueblo, Zuni and other Native American villages –
Arawak; Columbus immediately claimed the Native Coronado killed many
American lands for Spain & ENSLAVED THEM!

5. France
Jacques Cartier Explores America Marquette & Joliet explore the
upper Mississippi river
1. What does the MAP show? 1. What does the MAP show?
Marquette and Joliet’s exploration of the Mississippi River
Exploration of the St. Lawrence River as far as present
day Montreal by Cartier 2. Why was Jacques MARQUETTE sent to America and HOW
did he INTERACT with the Native Americans?
2. GOALS: Why did the FRENCH king send explorers to Missionary sent by the Jesuits and he worked in
America? missions and amongst the tribes of the Great Lakes
(Ottawa, Huron, and Illinois)
Wanted a western empire, gold and other riches,
Northwest Passage to Far East, and wanted to halt 3. Why did JOLIET ask MARQUETTE to join his expedition to
further Spanish expansion explore the MISSISSIPPI River?
Because of his knowledge of the Native Americans and
3. How did CARTIER and the IROQUOIS interact? their languages
Developed friendly trade relations; brought back 4. Who built the GREAT MOUNDS along the Mississippi River?
Natives to France & returned with them as his guides
Mississippian culture – some served as temples
5. Why did MARQUETTE and JOLIET turn back?
To avoid an attack by Spanish

6. England and the Dutch
The Voyage of John Cabot (1497) The voyage of Henry Hudson
(Giovanni caboto) (1609)
1. What does the MAP show? 6. What does the MAP show?
Exploration of the Canadian coast by Cabot for England
Hudson’s voyage for Dutch merchants to the NE coast of
present day US down to the Chesapeake Bay and the Hudson
2. GOALS: Why did ENGLISH rulers and merchants fund River
exploration?
Wanted land, resources, Northwest Passage 7. GOALS: Why did DUTCH rulers and merchants fund
exploration?
Wanted land, resources, Northwest Passage
3. Who was John Cabot?
Sailor, trader, and mapmaker
Lived in Spain before moving to England 8. Why did HUDSON’S ship, the Half Moon, turn south instead
of north in 1609?
Bitter cold and stormy seas – his crew was also close to
mutiny
4. What was CABOT searching for?
Northwest Passage for England (King Henry VII) 9. What ended HUDSON’s exploration of the Hudson River?
5. What were the results of his exploration in 1497? The river became too shallow
Reached coast of present day Newfoundland, Grand Banks,
and Nova Scotia. 10. What areas did the DUTCH claim as a result of HUDSON’s
voyage?
Land on either side of the Hudson River where they
built forts and trading posts

7. MAPTASTIC MAPTASTIC
ALL: p. 181, 182-183, inside cover ALL: p. 181, 182-183, inside cover
Columbus Lands in America p. 76, 77 Columbus Lands in America p. 76, 77
Cortes and Coronado Explore America p. 105, 123 Cortes and Coronado Explore America p. 105, 123
KEY: WATER = blue LAND = brown/beige KEY: WATER = blue LAND = brown/beige
STEP 1: STEP 1:
Use the maps in Text to outline WATER and outline LAND. Use the maps in Text to outline WATER and outline LAND.
Shade in water and land. Shade in water and land.
STEP 2: STEP 2:
Finish shading WATER and LAND. Color in the pieces using Finish shading WATER and LAND. Color in the pieces using
ACCURATE colors. ACCURATE colors.
STEP 3: STEP 3:
Finish coloring pieces. REFER TO Map Image and CUT out Finish coloring pieces. REFER TO Map Image and CUT out
pieces and map. pieces and map.
STEP 4: STEP 4:
Construct the map by referring to the MAP Directions and Construct the map by referring to the MAP Directions and
IMAGE. IMAGE.
FACT FINDING FACT FINDING
Respond to the questions in your packet. Respond to the questions in your packet.