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Early European Explorers
Early
A.
B.
Erik the Red (10th century Viking)
1. First European to sail to Greenland.
2. He sailed from Iceland in 982 and led a group of colonists to Greenland in 985-986.
Leif Erikkson
1. Possibly the first European to sail to North America.
2. He sailed north from Greenland, to Labrador, and then landed in what is now called
Newfoundland (which he called Vinland).
Portugal
A. Prince Henry the Navigator
1. Established a school for navigators and sailors.
2. Encouraged exploration of Africa.
B. Bartholomew Diaz
1. Sailed around the Cape of Good Hope. (1487)
2. Claimed present day South Africa for Portugal.
C.
Vasco da Gama
1. Reached India by the way of East Africa. (1497)
2. Claimed East Africa and India for Portugal.
D. Pedro Cabral
1.
Found America after being blown across the Atlantic. (1500)
2. Claimed Brazil for Portugal.
Spain
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
H.
Christopher Columbus
1. Sailed to West Indies, Central America, and South America. (1492-1503)
2. Much of Spanish claim in New World came as the result of Columbus's voyage.
Ferdinand Magellan (1519-1522)
1.
Led voyage which first circled the earth.
2.
Voyage led to claim of western South America and the Philippines.
Balboa
1.
First crossed Isthmus of Panama. (1513)
2.
Named Pacific Ocean.
Cortez
1.
Landed and conquered Aztecs. (1519-1521)
2.
Established Spanish control over Mexico.
Pizarro
1.
Landed and conquered Incas. (1531)
2.
Established Spanish control over Peru.
Ponce De Leon
1.
Landed and explored Florida. (1515)
2.
Claimed Florida for Spain.
Coronado
1.
Wandered through the Southwest looking for gold. (1540-1542)
2.
Southwest U.S. claimed for Spain as a result of his travels.
France
A. Cartier
B.
C.
1.
2.
Champlain
1.
2.
LaSalle
1.
2.
Discovered St. Lawrence River for France. (1534-1535)
France claimed Canada as a result.
Explored central Canada including Great Lakes. (1604-1616)
Extended French claim in Canada.
Explored down to the mouth of the Mississippi River. (1682)
France claimed Mississippi Valley.
England
A. Cabot
B.
1.
Explored along the east coast of North America. (1497)
2.
Gave England slight claim to part of North America.
Henry Hudson
1.
Looked for passage to Asia by sailing along north coast of North America (1610)
2.
Gave England claim to Hudson Bay.
Holland
A.
Henry Hudson
1.
Looked for passage to Asia by sailing up river named after him. (1609)
2. Claimed present day New York for Dutch.