European Exploration & Colonization: Key Events and Figures

When did Europeans begin to expand and explore?

Mid-1400s

Why did European kings and queens start to explore?

To trade, gain resources, and build power

What were some resources Europeans wanted?

Spices, gold, plants, land

What was a major motivation for exploration?

Competition

What region did Europeans go to for spices?

Asia

Why was walking to Asia not efficient?

It took too long and was dangerous

Which two countries led early exploration?

Spain and Portugal

Why did Spain and Portugal explore?

Adventure, spreading religion, and power

What religious goal did explorers have?

Spread Christianity and beat the Muslims

Who paid explorers?

Kings and queens

Who owned what explorers found?

The king or queen who sponsored them

What did explorers try to find in the mid-1400s?

How long Africa was

Where was Columbus born?

Genoa, Italy

When was Columbus born?

Mid-1400s

What did Columbus hear about as he grew up?

People sailing for Spain and Portugal

What was Columbus's goal?

Get sponsored by Spain or Portugal

Who were the King and Queen of Spain?

Ferdinand and Isabella

What plan did Columbus propose?

Sail west to reach Asia

Did Spain and Portugal first agree to sponsor Columbus?

No, they said no at first

When did Spain finally say yes?

Early 1490s

What helped Columbus sail west?

Winds that blew west during certain times of the year

How many trips did Columbus make?

Four

When was Columbus's first trip?

1492

What were the names of Columbus's ships?

Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria

Who owned Columbus's ships?

Spain

What kind of reputation did Columbus have?

Not great, seen as a dreamer

What limited Columbus's resources?

Limited money and poor reputation

Why were his boats and crew not the best?

Lack of funding

When did Columbus set sail?

August

What risk did Columbus face sailing in August?

Hurricane season

How long was Columbus at sea before reaching land?

About 2 months

Where did Columbus land?

The Bahamas

What did Columbus find in the Bahamas?

People who were less developed and not wearing clothes

What did Columbus leave behind when he went home?

A ship's worth of men

What did Columbus bring back to Spain?

Souvenirs, gold, and human artifacts

What did Ferdinand and Isabella think after Columbus returned?

They thought they had won the race to Asia

Columbus's second trip

1493

What did Columbus bring on his second trip?

Animals, tools, and Christianity

Where did Columbus land on his second trip?

Hispaniola (Dominican Republic)

What pressures did Columbus face?

Pressure from Spain, crew, and natives

What did Columbus tell Spain about the new world?

That it was a new world

What did Spain think of Columbus's later trips?

A waste of time and money

What did Columbus explore on his third trip?

Northern South America

What did Columbus explore on his fourth trip?

Central America

What happened after Columbus's death?

Spain sent waves of men to America

What were Spanish conquerors called?

Conquistadors

What did conquistadors bring to the New World?

Death, destruction, and Christianity

What was the Columbian Exchange?

Exchange of goods between Europe, Africa, and the Americas

What did Europe bring to the Americas?

Animals, wheat, sugar, disease, bees, steel

What did Europe take from the Americas?

Potatoes, corn, tobacco, tomatoes, peppers, cacao, coffee

Why did potatoes become popular in Europe?

Easy to grow and filled with nutrients

What crop exploded in Europe?

Potatoes

Which social class enjoyed potatoes the most?

Poor people

Why did England want colonies?

Natural resources, land, and new opportunities

What was England's first colony attempt?

Roanoke

What happened to Roanoke?

The colonists disappeared

What was carved into a tree at Roanoke?

The word "Croatoan"

When was Jamestown founded?

Early 1600s

Who founded Jamestown?

The Virginia Company

What was the Virginia Company?

A joint-stock company that pooled money to start colonies

What was Jamestown named after?

King James

What were the first settlers like?

Gentlemen who didn't know how to work

How many settlers died in the first year?

76 out of 100

What problems did Jamestown face?

Starvation, disease, conflict with natives

Who helped Jamestown survive?

John Smith

What rule did John Smith make?

"He who does not work, does not eat."

Who did John Smith make peace with?

Native Americans

Who helped Jamestown with trade?

Pocahontas

What did John Rolfe bring to Jamestown?

Tobacco

What was tobacco's role in Jamestown?

It became a cash crop

When did African slaves first arrive in Jamestown?

1619

How many African slaves arrived in 1619?

Around 24

What did Jamestown settlers do to expand wealth?

Sold land