Early European exploration of North America was driven by economic, religious, and curiosity motives. Spain's exploration led by Columbus and later Cortez expanded their empire through conquest of the Aztecs and Incas, aided by disease. France established trading posts under Champlain. England's early colonies at Roanoke and Jamestown struggled until tobacco farming and John Smith's leadership helped Jamestown survive. However, disease devastated native populations and conflict broke out between colonists and groups like the Powhatans. The exchange of goods, plants, animals and diseases between Europeans and natives, known as the Columbian Exchange, profoundly impacted both societies.

1. European Exploration

2. European ExplorationEarly ExplorationWhy?Spain’s SparkFranceEnglandRoanoke (1580s)Jamestown (1607)ProblemsEconomic BoomColumbian Exchange

3. European Exploration – Why?EconomicTrade route to the Indies

4. Gold & other riches

5. Land for expansionEuropean Exploration – Why?ReligionEscape persecution

6. Spread ChristianityEuropean Exploration – Why?Curiosity / AdventureForced MigrationAfrican Slave TradeEuropean Exploration – SpainChristopher Columbus Goal: Find a shorter route to the EastSailed from Spain in 1492

7. Not the first European to cross the ocean

8. Map of European Exploration

9. His voyages led to permanent settlementsEuropean Exploration – SpainHernando CortezGoal: Find wealth in MexicoLanded in 1519 with about 600 soldiers

10. Destroyed his ship

11. Conquered the Aztecs in 1521European Exploration – SpainAztecs & SpanishSpanish SuccessAztecs believed Cortez was the god Quetzalcoatl

12. Smallpox decimated the native population

13. Differing views of warfare

14. Spanish technology

15. Horses & steelEuropean Exploration – SpainJuan de OnateLed conquistadors in New Mexico in 1598

16. Crushed the native population at the village of Acoma

17. About 800 people were killed

18. Women & children were sold into slavery

19. Men had one foot cut offEuropean Exploration – SpainSan Esteban Rey – Acoma, New Mexico

20. European Exploration – SpainPueblo Revolt (1680)Led by Pope in response to Spanish attacks on traditional Pueblo practices & forced Christianity

21. United Native Americans in New Mexico

22. Drove Spain out of the area for about 10 years

23. One of the most successful native uprisings in US historyEuropean Exploration – FranceJacques CartierExplored the east coast of Canada in the 1530s

24. Sailed up the St. Lawrence River to what is now MontrealEuropean Exploration – FranceSamuel de ChamplainEstablished Quebec in 1608

25. Became a key trading post in the French fur trade

26. Helped establish an alliance with the Huron Indians

27. Considered to be the “father” of New FranceEngland - RoanokeSir Walter RaleighInstrumental in the establishment of the Roanoke colony in the 1580s