European Countries:

Spain:

• Motivations:

  • Sought wealth and riches, spread Christianity, and established dominance in global trade.

• Exploration Areas:

  • Explored and claimed significant portions of the Americas, including present-day Mexico, Central America, South America, and parts of the present-day United States.

• Key Explorers:

  • Christopher Columbus, Hernán Cortés, Francisco Pizarro.

• Key Years:

  • Columbus's first voyage in 1492, Cortés's conquest of the Aztec Empire in the early 16th century, Pizarro's conquest of the Inca Empire in the mid-16th century.

Portugal:

• Motivations:

  • Establish trade routes to Asia, access to valuable spices, wealth, and exploration.

• Exploration Areas:

  • Explored the western coast of Africa, established trading posts in India, and claimed territories in Brazil.

• Key Explorers:

  • Vasco da Gama, Bartolomeu Dias.

• Key Years:

  • Da Gama's voyage to India in 1498.

France:

• Motivations:

  • Trade, fur trapping, religious freedom, and territorial expansion.

• Exploration Areas:

  • Explored and colonized parts of present-day Canada, the Great Lakes region, and the Mississippi River Valley.

• Key Explorers:

  • Jacques Cartier, Samuel de Champlain.

• Key Years:

  • Cartier's exploration of the St. Lawrence River in the early 16th century.

England:

• Motivations:

  • Economic opportunities, religious freedom, and territorial expansion.

• Exploration Areas:

  • Explored and established colonies along the eastern coast of North America, including areas like Jamestown and Plymouth.

• Key Explorers:

  • John Cabot.

• Key Years:

  • Cabot's exploration of North America in 1497.

The Netherlands:

• Motivations:

  • Economic growth, trade, and commercial interests.

• Exploration Areas:

  • Established trading posts in the Americas, including New Amsterdam (New York) and parts of the Caribbean.

• Key Explorers:

  • Henry Hudson.

• Key Years:

  • Hudson's exploration of North America in 1609.

Native American Civilizations/Societies:

Aztecs:

• Advanced civilization in Central Mexico.

• Capital: Tenochtitlan.

• Economy based on agriculture, trade, and tribute.

• Known for religion and human sacrifice

• Conquered by the Spanish under Hernán Cortés in 1521.

Incans:

• Empire located in the Andes Mountains of South America.

• Capital: Cusco.

• Known for advanced engineering, including extensive road systems and terrace farming.

• Conquered by the Spanish under Francisco Pizarro in 1533.

Eastern Woodlands:

• Diverse Native American groups in the eastern part of North America.

• Semi-sedentary lifestyle based on agriculture, hunting, and gathering.

• Interacted with European settlers, particularly the English, in areas like present-day New England.

Southeastern:

• Native American societies in the southeastern region of North America.

• Known for mound-building cultures and complex societies.

• Interacted with European colonizers from Spain and later from France and England.

Southwest (Pueblo):

• Puebloan peoples in the southwestern United States.

• Known for adobe architecture + cliff buildings and agriculture in arid regions.

• Interacted with Spanish colonizers and faced challenges due to Spanish colonization.

Plains:

• Nomadic hunter-gatherer societies in the central region of North America.

• Relied on bison for sustenance and materials.

• Faced significant disruption due to European settlement and disease.

Northwest:

• Native American groups in the Pacific Northwest.

• Known for totem pole carving and fishing-based economies.

• Interacted with European traders and settlers, facing both cultural exchange and challenges.