EARLY COLONIZATION

WHO, WHY, WHERE AND WHAT?

REASONS FOR EUROPEAN EXPANSION

MORE TERRITORYEXPAND

TRADE

EXPLORE THE WORLD

MORE WEALTH SPREAD

CHRISTIANITY

European Colonization

• Once the New World is discovered, the Big 4 four European countries begin competing for control of North America and the world….– Spain– England– France– Portugal

• This power struggle ultimately leads to several wars.

European Colonization

• Political: Become a world power through gaining wealth and land. (GLORY)

• Economic: Search for new trade routes with direct access to Asian/African luxury goods would enrich individuals and their nations (GOLD)

• Religious: spread Christianity and weaken Middle Eastern Muslims. (GOD)

The 3 motives reinforce each other

Direct Causes = 3 G’s

EUROPEAN EXPLORATION

• The countries of Portugal, Spain, France and England explored in the late 1400s for God, Gold, and Glory

• Improved mapmaking, better sailboats, compasses, astrolabes, Prince Henry– all led to better exploration

The Columbian Biological Exchange

Old World to New World: New World to Old World:

Animals: Horses CattlePigsSheepGoatsChickens

TurkeysLlamasAlpacasGuinea Pigs

The Columbian Biological Exchange

Old World to New World:

New World to Old World:

Diseases: Smallpox MeaslesChicken PoxMalariaYellow FeverInfluenzaThe Common Cold

Syphilis

| This page was last updated on 12/3/98. | Return to History 111 Supplements

The Columbian Biological Exchange

Old World to New World: New World to Old World:

Plants: Rice WheatBarleyOatsCoffeeSugarcaneBananasMelonsOlivesDandelionsDaisiesCloverRagweedKentucky Bluegrass

Corn (Maize)Potatoes (White & Sweet Varieties)Beans (Snap, Kidney, & Lima Varieties)TobaccoPeanutsSquashPeppersTomatoesPumpkinsPineapplesCacao (Source of Chocolate)Chicle (Source of Chewing Gum)PapayasManioc (Tapioca)GuavasAvocados

SPANISH NORTH AMERICA

• Columbus crosses the Atlantic in October of 1492 and lands in San Salvador (“Holy Savior”)

• He spent about 3 months exploring Islands in the Bahamas

• Europeans used advanced weapons to force locals into labor: Plantation System /Ecomienda

• Disease devastated Native population

SPAIN EXPLORES SOUTHWEST AND WESTERN AMERICA

• Mid-1500s, Spain explored much of what is today the SW & West of the USA

• New Mexico settled by Spanish priest who converted Natives (Pueblos)

• Texas area had 30 expeditions in 16th century

• California was site of numerous missions California

Missions

• French settle Quebec (1608) & Montreal (1642) and what would become Canada– Control St. Lawrence River & access to interior of

North America– Develop a fur trade– Couier do Bois

EARLY BRITISH COLONIES

• Beginning in the early 1600s, the English established colonies along the eastern coast of North America

• 1607: Jamestown was first to be settled

• John Smith led this group of settlers

• Colony struggled at first, then was saved by Tobacco crop