Ch. 1 - Section Three Notes

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Wow! The explorers that wanted a stake in the success of America was huge! All of the major countries ; Spain, England and France came out to play!

Let's introduce the players:

Team Spain (Spaniard Explorers)

Francisco Vasquez de Coronado -

Hernando de Soto

Juan Ponce de Leon

Team England (English Explorers)

Queen Elizabeth I

Sir Francis Drakes

Sea Dogs

John Cabot

Team France (France Explorers)

Jacques Cartier

Robert de Salle

Samuel de Champlain

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Spain had a head start over England and France since Columbus rediscovered the New World. The conquistadors (spanish explorers) found mineral treasures in Central and South America. Soon Spain claimed Florida as their territory. Also, other Spanish countries wanted to explore the New World.

Juan Ponce de Leon - came to Florida in 1531 looking for the Fountain of Youth.

Hernando de Soto - came to Florida looking for riches in 1539 ; but he found the Mississippi River instead.

Francisco Vasquez de Coronado - arrived from Mexico looking for Gold, instead he discoered the adobe villages of the Pueblo Indians.

The Spanish even founded the Florida city - St. Augustine.

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England: A threat to Spain's claim on "The New World"

John Cabot, an Englishmen, had already laid claim to the Atlantic coast of North America for England.

Spain was really upset because the English sea captains a.k.a. Sea Dogs would destroy Spanish towns and ship harbors. They also would pretend they were pirates, seize Spanish ships and steal the riches they found on explorations to the New World and give it to England.

Sir Francis Drake - was the most famous Sea Dog (even Queen Elizabeth I liked him). His nicknames were "the dragon" and the "master thief." He sailed around South America and

King Phillip II of Spain launched an attack on England. The Spaniard sea army was called the "Invincible Armada" Spain lost the battle.

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France's claim on the "New World"

France wanted in on all of the fun in America; so they sent explorers to America in hope of finding a "Northwest Passage" through America.

Here were their results:

Jacques Cartier - found the St. Lawrence River. Why is this important? This river gave France a claim in a large section of North America.

Robert de La Salle - claimed the Mississippi River

Samuel de Champlain - a.k.a. "The Father of New France - built the city of Quebec

France didn't do very well when developing successful cities. The citizens couldn't have a local government and couldn't even self-rule themselves.

To make matters worse, only Roman Catholic were allowed to live in these cities. They excluded the other religion Protestants (Huguenots) from living there. The Huguenots were being persecuted in France because of their religion and were forced to flee. Many of these Huguenots settled in England territories.

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