How and Why Europeans Came to the New World—Study Guide

Artifact

an object, such as a tool or clothing made by a group of humans

“New World”

the name that Europeans used to refer to the Americas

Astrolabe

an early scientific tool used to observe and calculate the position of the sun and other stars

Cash Crop

a crop that is grown in large quantities for sale

Archeologist

a scientist who studies artifacts to learn about past cultures

Explorer

a person who travels in search of new geographical information

Where did explorers hope to explore (from where to where) during the Age of Exploration?

The explorers hoped to explore from Europe to Asia during the Age of Exploration.

How does a compass work?

There is a magnetic field that makes a needle that always points North.

What were flags used for during the Age of Exploration?

When explorers reached new land, they would plant flags to claim the country.

How was religion part of the Age of Exploration?

Religion was spread as European explorers discovered new territories.

Which foods came from the New World that were new to Europeans?

Potatoes, sweet potatoes, beans, and squash.

What was in Spain that was important to the Muslims?

Palaces of Ganada.

Who experienced wars after the time of Martin Luther?

Europe became divided after the Reformation.

Colony

a community ruled by another country, not by its own people

Conquistador

a Spanish explorer who came to the Americas in the 1500s and claimed large areas of land for Spain

Contagious Disease

a sickness that can pass quickly from one person to another

East Indies

Europeans called South East Asia the East Indies; explorers wanted a shorter route to here

Northwest Passage

the supposed route across the northern part of North America that Europeans were looking for but never found

What makes a colony different from other places that people settle?

It is ruled by another country.

What happened at Fort Caroline?

The Spanish attacked it because they did not want the French to challenge their rule in America.

Christopher Columbus

he was sponsored by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella

John Cabot

was a merchant; his motive was to find silver and gold

Juan Ponce de Leon

he looked for the Fountain of Youth

Hernán Cortés

fought against the Aztecs in Mexico

Jacques Cartier

was a sailor and was looking for a route to Asia

Francisco Coronado

colonized what is now South Western US

Henry Hudson

provided new information for map creation

Robert de La Salle

explored the Mississippi River