Early years/sailors/expeditions Flashcards
“Line of Demarcation”
A “line” drawn by the pope west of the Cape Verde Islands. Portugal’s territory was to the East of this line and Spain was to the west (drawn to prevent/reduce competition)
Treaty of Tordesillas
(1494) Made the “Line of Demarcation” move farther west because it had previously been favorable to Spain.
Vasco Nunez de Balboa
(1513) Crossed the isthmus of Panama and became the first European to see the Pacific Ocean
Juan Ponce
(1513) Originally searched for gold and fountain of youth, but ended up claiming Florida for Spain
Hernando Cortes
(1519) Destroyed the Aztec Empire with disease and his army
Panfilio de Narvaez
(1528) Led a disastrous expedition through the Gulf Coast region (4 of 400 men survived)
Hernando de Soto
(1539-1541) Discovered the Missisippi River. Led a 600 man expedition
Francisco Vasquez de Coronado
Led an expedition (1540-1542) from Mexico, across Rio Grande. First to see the Grand Canyon
John Cabot (Italian)
(1497) Sponsored by the king of England to find a Northwest Passage. First European since the Vikings to reach the mainland of North America, which he claimed for England
Giovannia da Verrazzano (Italian)
Tried to copy Ferdinand Magellan who had found a way around the southern tip of South America. Sailed the coast from North Carolina to Maine.
Jacques Cartier (1534)
Had three expeditions. Found St. Lawrence River (thought it was the Northwest Passage) Rapids prevented him from continuing further. Claimed the area for France
Huguenots
French Protestants attempting to escape persecution in Catholic France by settling in the New World. However, they were massacre by the Spaniards
Francis Drake
Sailed around South America and raided the Spanish settlements on the Pacific Coast of Central America. Claimed California for England. Sailed around the world and returned to England. His benefactor was Queen Elizabeth (Mary’s sister)
King Philip II (Spain)
Angry that Elizabeth had helped Protestant cause. Sent mighty Spanish Armada to conquer England (1588). However, it was conquered by England and North Sea storms. War lasted until 1604
Martin Frobisher
Sent to look for the Northwest passage by Sir Humphrey Gilbert (1576). Looked on the northeastern coast of Canada and instead found fool’s gold. Tried to found a colony in Newfoundland (1578). However, he was lost at sea.