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Early European Exploration
Read through the following paragraphs, which detail the early European explorations of
the Americas. After each section, complete the assigned mapping task on the
accompanying map of the world.
1. THE NORSE (VIKINGS)
The first Europeans known to explore Canada were the Norsemen, or Vikings, who arrived
sometime around the year 1000. These expert sailors and warriors were originally from
Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden & Denmark), but had established colonies in Iceland and
Greenland by the late 900s. It was from these colonies that the Vikings set out to further explore
the seas to the west. The Vikings left a record of their voyages in stories they called sagas, and
archaeological evidence has been uncovered indicating a Viking presence in Newfoundland.
According to the sagas, the Vikings named the lands they found in North America ‘Vinland’,
possibly as a reference to grapes or berries they found there. The first Viking captain known to
have reported these findings was Leif Ericsson. The location of Vinland was probably somewhere
in present-day Labrador, Newfoundland, or Nova Scotia. The Norse presence was small and
temporary, though, as they seem to have encountered resistance from Aboriginal peoples, which
led to the abandonment of the Viking settlements.
Mapping Task: Using the information in the paragraph above, use an arrow to trace the route of
Leif Ericsson and the Vikings from Scandinavia to North America. Label the route (or create a
legend on the reverse side of the map) and indicate dates. [e.g.: draw an arrow from Scandinavia
to Iceland, the to Greenland, then to Newfoundland/Labrador. Label the arrow “Ericsson –
Vikings, 1000”.
2. EUROPEAN TRADE WITH ASIA
Unlike the Vikings, most Europeans did not travel vast distances on the sea. Instead, for
centuries, Europeans preferred to trade with Asia through overland caravan routes that extended
from the Greek city of Constantinople east to China and India. In 1453, the Turks captured
Constantinople, renamed it Istanbul, and cut off Europe’s access to the East. Europeans were now
forced to look for different routes to the spices, silks, and perfumes of Asia. Some began sailing
south, along the coast of Africa. As these sailors became bolder, some began to wonder if Asia
could also be reached by sailing west from Europe.
Mapping Task: Using the information in the paragraph above, use an arrow to trace the
overland route taken by Europeans from Constantinople (Istanbul) to India and China. Label the
route (or add the colour of the arrow to your map legend), and indicate the year in which
Constantinople was conquered.
3. THE SPANISH
In 1492, Christopher Columbus, sailing from Spain, reconfirmed what the Vikings had
discovered 500 years before – that land could be reached by sailing west from Europe. He
believed that the lands he encountered were in Asia, although he was actually in the Caribbean.
Despite the error, his voyages were to mark the beginning of a new era of exploration for
Europeans seeking to trade with countries in Asia. It was hoped that the ports of Asia could be
reached more quickly by sailing west rather than going southeast around Africa. The Spanish
expanded on Columbus’ explorations by conquering lands in the Caribbean, in Mexico, and in the
northern part of South America.
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Mapping Task: Using the information from the paragraph above, use an arrow to trace the route
taken by Christopher Columbus and the Spanish from Europe to the Americas. Label the arrow
and indicate the date Columbus arrived in the Caribbean.
4. THE ENGLISH
In 1497, John Cabot, representing England, went in search of a route to Asia by sailing west
across the Atlantic Ocean, far to the north of Columbus’ route. Possibly landing in Newfoundland
or Nova Scotia, Cabot also thought he had arrived in Asia. He was astounded by the large
quantity of fish he found off-shore. The news of this discovery started the practice of annual
fishing expeditions from England, France, Spain, and Portugal.
Mapping Task: Using the information in the paragraph above, use an arrow to trace the route
taken by Cabot and the English from Europe to North America. Label the arrow and indicate
important dates.
5. THE FRENCH
In order to compete with the Spanish, Portuguese, and English claims to the “New World”,
France sent Jacques Cartier to look for riches. In 1534 and 1535, he sailed from France to the St.
Lawrence River, and although he did not get any further than present-day Montreal, he had hoped
that the river would lead to a western sea and on to Asia. While in this “New World”, Cartier
encountered Aboriginal peoples. Staying in their country through the winter, Cartier lost many of
his men to disease (especially scurvy) and malnutrition. It was with the aid of an Aboriginal
remedy that his scurvy was cured. Despite this help, Cartier kidnapped several Aboriginals to take
back to France. He had hoped that their presence in France would serve as proof of where he’d
been and spark interest in future expeditions. Unfortunately, while abroad, the Aboriginals died.
When Cartier arrived back on the St. Lawrence River to start a settlement several years later, he
found himself unwelcome by the Aboriginals, and his settlement failed. Seeing little wealth in
North America, France did not resume its attempts at settlement there for more than 50 years. In
the meantime, Europeans continued to come across the Atlantic to trade furs with Aboriginals,
and to fish.
Mapping Task: Using the information in the paragraph above, use an arrow to trace the route
taken by Cartier and the French from Europe to the St. Lawrence. Label the arrow and indicate
important dates.
6. THE DUTCH
In the early 1600s the French resumed their settlement attempts, first in what are now the
Maritime provinces, and then by returning to the St. Lawrence River. At the same time, explorers
from other countries continued to look for a passage to Asia and to set up colonies in the
Americas. In 1609, Henry Hudson sailed from the Netherlands to what is now the Hudson River
and New York City. He claimed this area for the Dutch. The next year, 1610, he changed his
allegiance and sailed for the English from England through the Hudson Strait, and as far south as
the bottom of James Bay. It was here in Northern Canada that he was mutinied (abandoned) by
his crew. Despite Hudson’s disappearance, his voyage established the English claim to the
northern lands along the bay that would be named for the unfortunate explorer.
Mapping Task: Using the information in the paragraph above, use an arrow to trace the voyages
of Henry Hudson, first for the Dutch, and then for the English. Label the arrows and indicate
important dates.
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