Topic 1.3.1: European Exploration
European Influence
As a result of the explorations of Columbus and later Spanish explorers, and the actions of the conquistadors, the Spanish claimed large areas of Central and South America. Initially explorers searched for gold but soon set up encomiendas (large plantations) on which the natives were put to work to produce wealth for their Spanish masters. Disease and overwork soon decimated the native population and the Spanish brought in African slaves to work the plantations and mines. They built cities and established universities. They brought their social class system, style of government, and their Catholic religion to the New World. Spanish explorers then searched for gold and claimed land in North America. They established missions along the Pacific coast and settlements in the southwestern parts of the continent and in what is now Florida.
As a result of the explorations of Columbus and later Spanish explorers, and the actions of the conquistadors, the Spanish claimed large areas of Central and South America. Initially explorers searched for gold but soon set up encomiendas (large plantations) on which the natives were put to work to produce wealth for their Spanish masters. Disease and overwork soon decimated the native population and the Spanish brought in African slaves to work the plantations and mines. They built cities and established universities. They brought their social class system, style of government, and their Catholic religion to the New World. Spanish explorers then searched for gold and claimed land in North America. They established missions along the Pacific coast and settlements in the southwestern parts of the continent and in what is now Florida.
French Exploration
French explorers, searching for the Northwest Passage, sailed down the St. Lawrence River and claimed the region for France. They established settlements at Montreal and Quebec. Although few Frenchmen settled in these cold climates, they brought their culture with them. French protestants were not allowed to immigrate to the New World so the French colony was Catholic. French traders established good relations with the native people on whom they relied for trade in furs. Frenchmen traveled along the rivers, including the Mississippi River, and claimed those lands for France, naming it Louisiana after their king.
English Exploration
English explorers also sailed along the coast of North America, claiming these lands for the English King. They later established permanent settlements along the eastern coast naming them Virginia and New England. Some settlers were attracted to these regions, hoping to discover gold and stayed to grow tobacco. Others were fleeing from religious persecution in England and founded societies based on their shared religious values. All English settlers brought their culture, including their language, Protestant religions, and ideas about self-government, with them to the New World.
Spanish, French, and English Attempts and Failures
Spain, France, and England struggled for a foothold in South Carolina as part of the competition for colonies that would enrich the mother country:
French explorers, searching for the Northwest Passage, sailed down the St. Lawrence River and claimed the region for France. They established settlements at Montreal and Quebec. Although few Frenchmen settled in these cold climates, they brought their culture with them. French protestants were not allowed to immigrate to the New World so the French colony was Catholic. French traders established good relations with the native people on whom they relied for trade in furs. Frenchmen traveled along the rivers, including the Mississippi River, and claimed those lands for France, naming it Louisiana after their king.
English Exploration
English explorers also sailed along the coast of North America, claiming these lands for the English King. They later established permanent settlements along the eastern coast naming them Virginia and New England. Some settlers were attracted to these regions, hoping to discover gold and stayed to grow tobacco. Others were fleeing from religious persecution in England and founded societies based on their shared religious values. All English settlers brought their culture, including their language, Protestant religions, and ideas about self-government, with them to the New World.
Spanish, French, and English Attempts and Failures
Spain, France, and England struggled for a foothold in South Carolina as part of the competition for colonies that would enrich the mother country:
- Although a Spanish explorer, Hernan De Soto,
traveled through what is now South Carolina looking for gold, he was unable to
establish a permanent settlement. Spain founded the San Miguel de Gualdape
settlement near what is now Georgetown [1520s] but abandoned it.
- The French founded Charlesfort near present day
Beaufort but also abandoned it [1560].
- The Spanish again tried and founded San Felipe [1566], which was built on the abandoned settlement of Charlesfort. This settlement survived for ten years until it was attacked by Native Americans. Survivors fled to St. Augustine, Florida.
Content information was obtained from the South Carolina state standards support document for eighth grade Social Studies. This document can be located at http://www.ed.sc.gov/agency/se/Instructional-Practices-and-Evaluations/documents/Grade8SupportDocument.pdf .All images were obtained from Google.com and were labeled as Free to Use or Share.