Early Explorers

Christopher Columbus' background

Sailor from Spain

Christopher Columbus' years of exploration

1492-1506

Christopher Columbus' sponsor

Spain - Sailor

Christopher Columbus' purpose of expiration

He wanted to try to get to the riches of Asia and the indies by sailing west

Christopher Columbus' claim to fame

he opened up the the Western Hemisphere to Europe

Juan Ponce de Leon's background

Soldier from Spain

Juan Ponce de Leon's years of exploration

1506-1521

Juan Ponce de Leon's sponsor

Spain

Juan Ponce de Leon's purpose of exploration

He wanted to find gold and the fabled " Fountain of Youth"

Juan Ponce de Leon's claim to fame

He found and named Florida and claimed the land for spain

Jacques Cartier's background

Sailor from France

Jacques Cartier's years of exploration

1534-1542

Jacques Cartier's sponsor

France - Sailor

Jacques Cartier's purpose of exploration

He was searching for a Northwest passage to Asia and the Indies

Jacques Cartier's claim to fame

He claimed the St. Lawrence River and surrounding area for France

John Cabot's background

Merchant from England

John Cabot's years of exploration

1497-1498

John Cabot's sponsor

England - Merchant

John Cabot's purpose of exploration

He was searching for a Northwest passage to Asia and the Indies (Merchant from England)

John Cabot's claim to fame

He discovered the Grand Banks, which is a rich fishing area

Hernan Cortes' background

Nobleman from Spain

Hernan Cortes' years of exploration

1519-1521

Hernan Cortes' sponsor

Spain - Nobleman

Hernan Cortes' purpose of exploration

He was looking for adventure and wealth

Hernan Cortes' claim to fame

He conquered the Aztecs and claimed the land for Spain

Francisco Coronado's background

Nobleman from Spain

Francisco Coronado's years of exploration

1540-1542

Francisco Coronado's sponser

Spain - Nobleman

Francisco Coronado's purpose of exploration

He was seeking glory and wealth

Francisco Coronado's claim to fame

His men were the first Europeans to see the Grand Canyon.

Henry Hudson's background

Sailor from England

Henry Hudson's years of exploration

1609-1610

Henry Hudson's sponser

England - Sailor

Henry Hudson's purpose of exploration

He was searching for a Northwest passage to Asia and the Indies. (Sailor from England

Henry Hudson's claim to fame

He claimed the land around the Hudson Bay and Hudson River.

Robert de la Salle's background

Nobleman from France

Robert de la Salle's years of exploration

1666-1684

Robert de la Salle's sponser

France - Nobleman

Robert de la Salle's purpose for exploration

He wanted to get rich by starting settlements and trading posts.

Robert de la Salle's claim to fame

Explored the Mississippi River and claimed the area for France.