European Exploration Study Guide
Why did European countries compete for power in North America?
Economic—Gold, natural resources, and trade
Religious—Spread Christianity
Competitions for empire and belief in superiority of own culture
What were the obstacles faced by the explorers?
Poor maps and navigational tools
Disease and starvation
Fear of the unknown
Lack of adequate supplies
What were the accomplishments of the explorations?
Exchanged goods and ideas
Improved navigational tools and ships
Claimed territories
What regions of North America were explored and settled by France, England, and Spain?
Spain: Francisco Coronado claimed the Southwest of the present-day United States for Spain.
France: Samuel de Champlain established the French settlement of Québec. Robert La Salle claimed the Mississippi River Valley for France.
England: John Cabot explored eastern Canada.
What regions were explored by Portugal?
The Portuguese made voyages of discovery along the coast of West Africa.
How did the American Indians and Europeans interact with each other?
Spanish
Conquered and enslaved American Indians
Brought Christianity to the New World
Brought European diseases to American Indians
French
Established trading posts
Spread Christian religion
English
Established settlements and claimed ownership of land
Learned farming techniques from American Indians
Traded with American Indians
American Indians
Taught farming techniques to European settlers
Believed that land was to be used and shared but not owned