Study Guide Flashcards
Conquistadors
Spanish explorers who came to the Americas in the 1500s and claimed large areas of land for Spain.
Contagious Diseases
Sicknesses that can spread to other people quickly.
Northwest Passage
A water route between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean along the northern cost of North America
Astrolabe
A tool that helped the explorers know where they were in the ocean and how close they were to the equator
Map
Helped the explorers show the locations of important features and places and showed the route to wherever they needed to go unless it was unknown.
Compass
A tool that helped the explorers navigate places even in total darkness and fog and it also showed them north, east, south, west.
Bible
A tool/book that helped the explorers spread their religion to other people, it contained stories about their faith.
Caravel
A ship that could be used as a cargo ships, war ship, and more. It was mainly used for fishing and was known for its speed and maneuverability.
Christopher Columbus
A Spanish explorer, and sailor. Sponsored by Spain Germany wanted to fund a route to Asia and find silver and gold. Exploration- 1492-1506. Route was from Spain and across the Atlantic Ocean. He was searching for a direct water route to Asia, his trips led to the Columbian Exchange.
John Cabot
An English merchant and explorer. His sponsor was England. He wanted to find a route to Asia and he wanted to find gold and silver . His exploration was from 1497-1498. His route was acorns Irelands coast and then west across the Atlantic Ocean. He discovered new parts of North America.
Juan Ponce De Leon
A Spanish explorer his sponsor was Spain. He heard about the fountain of youth and wanted the glory of finding a new location. He sailed to look for it and soon found Florida. He claimed it for Spain. His route was in search of gold and silver and he sailed to Puerto Rico but heard about the fountain of youth and sailed to look for it and soon discovered Florida. He then claimed Florida for Spain.
Hernan Cortes
A Spanish nobleman and explorer. Sponsored by Spain. He was in search of wealth and adventure so he sailed to Mexico and the Aztec people were looking for one of their gods to arrive at the same time that Cortes was there. Montezuma thought that he was the god and gave him gold and gifts which made Cortes Eager to conquer them. They kept on exchanging gifts and messaged then Hernan and his men went to the Aztec Capital to overthrow Aztec leaders. Montezuma welcomed Cortes but he took him captive. When he took a trip away, the Aztecs attacked them. Later, Cortes attacked the Aztecs and the Aztecs were defeated. Cortes claimed the land for Spain. His route was from Cuba to Mexico City.
Jacques Cartier
A French sailor who’s route was along St Lawrence river. He was sent to find the northwest passage. He sailed west to Newfoundland Canada and exerted a gulf through a narrow waterway between 2 large pieces of land. He claimed the land for France. he saw a water way and reached the mouth on Catholic feast day of st. Lawrence and name St. Lawrence river. He then sailed to Quebec and visited an Native village. He brought some of the chiefs to France and later created a settlement there.
Francisco De Coronado
A Spanish conquistador who set out through Mexico. He was in search of the Seven Cities of Gold. He found American Indian Pueblo but no gold. He heard from a slave that the Seven Cities of Gold were in a land where boats with golden eagles sailed past trees hundreds with golden bells. He searched in Kansas but did not find Cibola. He had the slave killed. He had not found the Seven Cities of Gold but some people said that he succeeded and he had a chance to spread Christianity to American Indians in the southwestern part of North America. His sponsor was Spain.
Henry Hudson
Sailed up the Hudson River. Sponsored by Dutch East India Company. Wanted to find a route to Asia so while sailing along the Atlantic coast of North America, he sailed up a river which he thought was the Northwest Passage which is now named the Hudson River. Years later he sailed across the Atlantic Ocean again and went from Canada, farther north. He entered a long narrow strait into a large body of water. He thought that it was the Pacific and the waters froze. His ship was stuck in this large bay. This is now called the Hudson Bay. The crew rebelled and left Hudson, his son, and some other men in a small boat. None one knew what happened to them after that.
