European exploration of the Americas began in the late 15th century, inspired by Marco Polo's accounts of wealth in Asia. Christopher Columbus led an expedition for Spain in 1492 hoping to find a western route to Asia, instead discovering islands in the Caribbean. Subsequent European powers including Spain, England, France, and the Netherlands established colonies in North America through the 17th century, with goals of conquest, trade, religion, and settlement. Colonists' interactions with indigenous peoples led to devastating disease outbreaks for Native Americans and the rise of African slavery to replace the local workforce.

1. European Exploration and SettlementCH 2:How did Europeans explore an establish settlements in the Americas?

2. Marco Polo1200s Marco Polo travels Asia“the man with a million stories”Wrote a book about ChinaRi₵he$ of China:SilkRare spicesGold & jewelsLuxurious palacesInspired European Exploration

3. Getting to AsiaSurely, there is a shorter way!

4. Columbus’s DiscoveriesInspired by Marco PoloBelieved shorter route to Asia was in the westSpain sponsored trip in 1492Found island in CaribbeanEncounters Taino “Indians”Died thinking he found Indies

5. The Columbian Exchange

6. Slavery Comes to AmericaSettlers forces Indians to work for them.European diseases kill them in great numbers.Africans are brought to replace them.Europeans traded guns and alcohol for slaves.Africans captured and sold slaves to Europeans.

8. Cortes Conquers MexicoConquistadors: Spanish soldiersMission: conquer an empire for SpainHernán Cortés mistaken for Aztec godGuns, germs, and steel help conquer Aztecs

9. Pizarro Conquers PeruFrancisco Pizarro conquers Incan EmpireSmallpox kills thousands before PizarroIncan ruler captured (Atahualpa) and ransomed for gold.Incans fill three rooms with gold and silver.Pizarro kills him anyway and takes over.

10. Settling the BorderlandsFlorida: Juan Ponce de Leon“Fountain of Youth”Dies from poison arrowsBorderlands:FloridaTexasNew MexicoArizonaCaliforniaSoldiers and missionaries settle in presidios

13. New FranceJacques Cartier’s Northwest PassageFrance claims CanadaQuebec: trading postFrench= explorers, soldiers, missionaries, traders, and fur trappers (coureurs de bois)Did not attract many settlersIndian business partners (Huron)Louisiana and Mississippi River

16. New England1497: England John Cabot sails to Newfoundland (island off the coast of Canada)Roanoke: colony disappears1607: Jamestown colony in VirginiaHunger and disease make life difficultPocahontas saves JamestownStarving Time: 60/500 survive the winterJohn Rolfe, Tobacco, & marriageCROATOAN

19. New NetherlandHenry Hudson and that Northwest PassageNetherlands=DutchDutch West India Company start a colonyAlbany, New YorkProfit from fur trade like the FrenchPeter Minuit buys Manhattan island for $24Iroquois ConfederacyNew Amsterdam: diverse (Europeans, Africans, Jews)English chase off the Dutch due to wet gunpowder

22. Manhattan IslandThenNow

23. Homework:How did Marco Polo encourage European exploration?How did the Columbian Exchange affect American Indians? Europeans? Africans?What kind of relationship did the French have with American Indians?What was the goals of: Columbus? Conquistadors? Missionaries? French & Dutch? How was New Amsterdam different from other settlements?