Overview
This lecture examines the causes and impacts of European exploration and colonization of the Americas between the 15th and 18th centuries, focusing on motivations, major powers, and notable explorers.
Causes of European Exploration
- Renaissance-era intellectual and scientific advancements enabled long-distance sea travel.
- Population growth in Europe transformed religion, warfare, families, and economies.
- Obstruction of Eurasian trade routes by the Ottoman Empire in 1453 forced Europeans to seek alternative routes to Asia.
- Desire for new trade routes (especially to Asia) led to exploration westward across the Atlantic.
Motivations for Colonization
- Religious motives included spreading Christianity to Native Americans and escaping religious persecution in Europe.
- Wealth was sought through gold, natural resources (fur, lumber, sugar, tobacco), and new agricultural commodities.
- Competition for national glory among Spain, Portugal, France, and England drove territorial expansion.
- Motivations are often summarized as "God, Gold, and Glory," though they were more complex in practice.
Areas Explored and Colonized by European Powers
Spain
- Spain led early exploration and colonization, covering North, Central, and South America.
- Notable Spanish explorers:
- Christopher Columbus (Italian, sailed for Spain): Landed in the Caribbean in 1492.
- Amerigo Vespucci (Italian): Identified the New World as a separate continent.
- Balboa: Explored Central and northern South America.
- Ponce de León: Explored Florida.
- Magellan (Portuguese, for Spain): First circumnavigation of the globe.
- Cortés: Conquered the Aztec Empire.
- Cabeza de Vaca: Explored Gulf Coast, Texas, and Southwest.
- Pizarro: Conquered the Inca Empire in western South America.
- De Soto & Coronado: Explored present-day US South and Southwest.
Portugal
- Portugal's main American colony was Brazil, established by Pedro Cabral.
France
- Focused on North America's far north and interior rivers.
- Cartier: Explored the St. Lawrence River, led to founding Quebec and Montreal.
- Champlain: Established New France and trading posts throughout the Great Lakes and down the Mississippi.
England
- Established colonies primarily along North America's east coast.
- John Cabot (Italian, for England): First European to sight North America’s mainland in 1497.
- First colonizing attempt: Roanoke ("Lost Colony") organized by Sir Walter Raleigh in the 1580s; fate remains unknown.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Renaissance — A cultural era marked by renewed interest in science, exploration, and art.
- Silk Road — Historic trade route connecting Europe and Asia.
- Conquistador — Spanish for "conqueror"; leaders who claimed lands in the Americas for Spain.
- Colony — Settlement established and governed by a foreign power.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review maps of early European exploration routes and colonial regions.
- Prepare for a discussion on English colonization efforts post-1603.