Age of Discovery and Colonization

Lecture #2

Why did Europeans explore the Atlantic?

To find new trade routes, gain wealth, spread Christianity, and increase national power. ❌ NOT: helping natives or pure curiosity

Three Gs of Exploration

Gold: wealth, spices, silver, trade; God: spread Christianity; Glory: fame, empire, national power

Portuguese Exploration

Coast of Africa to India; developed trade networks; advanced navigation; focus on trade, not colonies

Bartolomeu Dias

Rounded the Cape of Good Hope

Vasco da Gama

Reached India by sea

Early Spanish Explorers

Columbus: Caribbean (didn’t know it was a new continent); Balboa: Pacific Ocean; Magellan: circumnavigated the globe

Conquistadors

Spanish soldiers/explorers seeking wealth, power, and social advancement

Conquest of Aztec & Inca

Aztecs: Cortés; Incas: Pizarro; success due to weapons, alliances, and disease (most important)

First Spanish North America Attempts

Ponce de León, Cabeza de Vaca, de Soto, Coronado; explored Florida, Southeast, Southwest, Great Plains; goal: wealth & territory

Black Legend

Propaganda portraying Spanish as uniquely cruel; exaggerated, ignored similar European actions

English challenge to Spain

Piracy, naval warfare, colonization under Queen Elizabeth I

English Sea Dogs

Privateers authorized by England to attack Spanish ships (not pirates in England)

Philip of Spain & England

Relations worsened due to religion, English support of piracy, and competition; led to Spanish Armada 1588

Tudor England Rulers

Henry VII → Henry VIII → Edward VI → Mary I → Elizabeth I; mnemonic: He He Ed Ma Liz

English Colonization 1585–1600

Roanoke attempted; failed; outcome unknown; laid groundwork for future colonies

Why England wanted colonies

Wealth, land, national power, competition with Spain, Protestant influence

Early English colonial challenges

Lacked wealth, organization, imperial experience; also accepted: less direct royal support

Sir Gilbert & Sir Raleigh

English explorers who sponsored early colonization attempts in North America