🇺🇸ap us history review
1.3 European Exploration in the Americas
Verified for the 2025 AP US History exam•Citation:MLA
Starting in the late 1400s, European countries began sending explorers across the Atlantic Ocean to find new lands. These explorers, like Columbus, were looking for gold, wanted to spread Christianity, and hoped to gain fame and power for their countries. Their voyages connected Europe with the Americas for the first time in history, changing both worlds forever. This section looks at who these explorers were, why they sailed, and how new ships and tools made their journeys possible.
Columbus Sails Circa 1492
New ships, such as the caravel, allowed for longer exploratory voyages. Caravels were typically about 50-60 feet long and had a narrow hull with a shallow draft, which made them well-suited for sailing in shallow waters and for navigating in close quarters. They were also equipped with triangular lateen sails, which allowed them to sail close to the wind and make sharp turns—greater maneuverability than previous nautical vessels.
In August of 1492, Christopher Columbus used three caravels (la Niña, la Pinta, and Santa María), supplied and funded by the Spanish crown, to set sail toward India. After an arduous voyage, Columbus and his men reached land on October 12, 1492. At dawn, Columbus went ashore and encountered a group of people who called themselves the Taino. He renamed their island San Salvador and claimed it for Spain.
Columbus observed in his journal:
“They…brought us parrots and balls of cotton and spears and many other things, which they exchanged for the glass beads and hawks’ bells. They willingly traded everything they owned…They were well built, with good bodies and handsome features…They do not bear arms, and do not know them, for I showed them a sword, they took it by the edge and cut themselves out of ignorance. They have no iron. Their spears are made of cane…They would make fine servants…With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.”
When Columbus returned to Spain, word of his discovery spread through Europe and ignited the Age of Exploration.
🎥Watch: AP U.S. History - Columbus & the Legacy of Discovery
The Age of Exploration
Columbus’ voyage pleased the Spanish monarchs, who quickly funded more voyages to the New World. Other European powers quickly set sail across the Atlantic to lay their own claims and explore. Like Columbus, European explorers set sail to the New World in search of gold, to seek glory, or to spread the word of their God to the Native peoples.
(remember: God, glory, gold as the influences of exploration) ⛪ 🌟 💸
Notable Explorers
The main explorers during the Age of Exploration were:
| Date | Explorer | Country they sailed for | Major Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 CE | Leif Ericson | Norway | First explorer to come ashore in the New England Area |
| 1487 | Bartolomeu Dias | Portugal | First to sail around the southernmost tip of Africa, setting up the route from Europe to Asia |
| 1492 | Christopher Columbus | Spain | Landed in the Bahamas – eventually, this would lead to the "discovery" of the Americas |
| 1497 | John Cabot | England | Sailed to Chesapeake Bay; helped lay the groundwork for the later British claim to Canada |
| 1499 | Amerigo Vespucci | Spain | Explored the coast of South America; America was named after Amerigo |
| 1513 | Juan Ponce de Leon | Spain | Discovered Florida; died looking for the fountain of youth 🤔 |
| 1519 | Ferdinand Magellan | Spain | Reached the southern part of South America while attempting to circumnavigate the globe |
| 1519 | Hernan Cortez | Spain | Conquered the Aztecs in Mexico |
| 1531 | Francisco Pizarro | Spain | Conquered the Incas in Peru |
| 1534 | Jacques Cartier | France | Looked for the northwest passage; explored parts of Canada |
| 1540 | Francisco Vasquez Coronado | Spain | Explored and led a large expedition from Mexico to present-day Kansas through parts of the southwestern United States |
| 1603 | Samuel de Champlain | France | Explored and established the city of Quebec in the northern colony of New France |
| 1607 & 1608 | Henry Hudson | England | Discovered the Hudson River and Hudson Bay |
These early European explorations opened the door to a new era in world history. Columbus's 1492 voyage sparked a race among European powers to claim new territories in the Americas. While explorers sought gold, glory, and the chance to spread their faith, their journeys had far-reaching effects that no one could have predicted. The maps they created and claims they established would shape the colonial world that followed. In the next section, we'll see how these initial explorations led to the massive exchange of plants, animals, and diseases called the Columbian Exchange, and the Spanish conquests of powerful Native American empires.
Key Terms to Review (32)
Age of Exploration: The Age of Exploration, spanning from the late 15th century to the early 17th century, was a period marked by European global exploration, driven by the desire for new trade routes, wealth, and territorial expansion. This era led to significant encounters between Europeans and the Americas, resulting in profound cultural exchanges and dramatic changes in global trade dynamics.
Amerigo Vespucci: Amerigo Vespucci was an Italian explorer and navigator known for his voyages to the New World in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. His expeditions contributed to the understanding that the lands discovered by Columbus were part of a separate continent, which eventually led to the naming of America after him. Vespucci's work in mapping and describing these new territories played a significant role in the Age of Exploration.
Aztecs in Mexico: The Aztecs were a Mesoamerican civilization that thrived in central Mexico from the 14th to the 16th centuries, known for their impressive architectural achievements, complex social structure, and rich cultural traditions. Their capital, Tenochtitlán, was one of the largest cities in the world at its peak and became a major center of trade and culture before the arrival of Europeans, significantly influencing European exploration efforts in the Americas.
Bahamas: The Bahamas is an archipelago consisting of over 700 islands located in the Caribbean Sea, known for its beautiful beaches and significant historical importance during European exploration. The islands were among the first landing sites for Christopher Columbus in 1492, marking a crucial moment in the encounter between Europe and the Americas. This event symbolized the beginning of European colonization in the New World and had far-reaching impacts on indigenous populations and global trade.
Bartolomeu Dias: Bartolomeu Dias was a Portuguese explorer best known for being the first European to sail around the southern tip of Africa, reaching the Cape of Good Hope in 1488. His journey marked a significant milestone in the Age of Discovery, as it opened the sea route to Asia and contributed to the expansion of European exploration in the Americas.
Caravel: A caravel is a small, highly maneuverable sailing ship developed in the 15th century, primarily by the Portuguese, that was crucial for exploration during the Age of Discovery. It featured a lateen sail design, which allowed it to sail efficiently against the wind, making it ideal for long voyages along the Atlantic coast and across the open ocean. The caravel became a symbol of maritime innovation and played a vital role in European exploration in the Americas.
Chesapeake Bay: Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States, located along the Mid-Atlantic coast, primarily between Maryland and Virginia. This significant waterway played a crucial role in European exploration and colonization efforts, serving as a vital resource for trade, transportation, and settlement for early colonizers and settlers in the region.
Christopher Columbus: Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer credited with opening up the Americas to European colonization after his 1492 voyage, which marked a significant turning point in world history. His expeditions were motivated by the search for a westward route to Asia, but instead, he stumbled upon the Caribbean islands, altering the course of history and initiating widespread contact between Europe and the Americas.
Columbus Sails Circa 1492: Columbus Sails Circa 1492 refers to Christopher Columbus's voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, which began in August 1492 and culminated in his arrival in the Bahamas on October 12, 1492. This journey is often credited with opening up the Americas to European exploration and colonization, marking a significant turning point in world history and the beginning of sustained contact between Europe and the New World.
Ferdinand Magellan: Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese explorer known for leading the first expedition to successfully circumnavigate the globe, which took place from 1519 to 1522. His voyage is significant because it provided valuable information about the world’s geography and proved that the Earth could be circumnavigated by sea, directly contributing to European exploration in the Americas and beyond. This expedition opened up new trade routes and solidified European powers' interests in global exploration.
Florida: Florida is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, which played a crucial role in early European exploration and colonization efforts. It was the first area in the present-day United States to be explored and settled by Europeans, particularly the Spanish, and became a focal point for conflict among colonial powers during the age of exploration and expansion.
Francisco Pizarro: Francisco Pizarro was a Spanish conquistador known for leading the expedition that resulted in the fall of the Inca Empire in the early 16th century. His conquests played a crucial role in expanding Spanish influence in South America and marked a significant moment in European exploration, showcasing the era's motivations of wealth, power, and religious conversion.
God, Glory, Gold: The phrase 'God, Glory, Gold' encapsulates the main motivations behind European exploration and colonization during the Age of Discovery. It highlights the religious zeal to spread Christianity, the desire for national prestige and personal fame, and the quest for wealth through the acquisition of resources and trade routes. These intertwined motivations drove many explorers and conquistadors to venture into uncharted territories, shaping the course of history in the Americas.
Hernan Cortez: Hernan Cortez was a Spanish conquistador best known for his expedition that led to the fall of the Aztec Empire in the early 16th century. His conquest of the Aztecs marked a significant moment in European exploration, as it opened up vast territories in the Americas for colonization and exploitation by European powers. Cortez's actions also set the stage for further Spanish conquests and the establishment of a colonial presence in Mexico.
Hudson River and Hudson Bay: The Hudson River is a 315-mile long river in New York that flows from the Adirondack Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean, while Hudson Bay is a large body of saltwater in northeastern Canada. Both locations were significant in the context of early European exploration and trade routes in North America, particularly for the Dutch and British interests in the region.
Incas in Peru: The Incas were a powerful and sophisticated civilization that arose in the Andean region of South America, particularly in present-day Peru, from the early 15th century until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. They are known for their advanced agricultural techniques, impressive architecture, and extensive road networks that facilitated communication and trade across their vast empire, significantly influencing European exploration in the Americas.
John Cabot: John Cabot was an Italian explorer known for his 1497 voyage to North America, which is often credited as the first European exploration of the mainland of North America since the Viking expeditions. His journey opened the door for later English claims to territories in the Americas, significantly influencing both European exploration and the transatlantic trade that followed.
Jacques Cartier: Jacques Cartier was a French explorer known for his voyages to North America in the 16th century, particularly for claiming Canada for France. His expeditions were significant in the context of European exploration as they marked the beginning of France's colonial ambitions in the New World, paving the way for further exploration and settlement.
Juan Ponce de Leon: Juan Ponce de Leon was a Spanish explorer and conquistador, best known for his quest to find the Fountain of Youth and for being the first European to set foot in Florida. His expeditions in the early 16th century played a significant role in the European exploration and colonization of the Americas, marking a pivotal moment in the search for new territories and resources.
La Niña: La Niña is a climate phenomenon characterized by cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. This weather pattern plays a crucial role in influencing global weather patterns, including increased rainfall in certain regions and droughts in others, impacting agricultural practices and economies worldwide.
La Pinta: La Pinta was one of the three ships used by Christopher Columbus during his first voyage to the Americas in 1492. This caravel played a crucial role in the exploration that led to the European awareness of the New World, marking a significant moment in history as it connected Europe and the Americas. As a part of Columbus's expedition, La Pinta helped establish the beginning of sustained European exploration and colonization in the Americas.
Leif Ericson: Leif Ericson was a Norse explorer from Iceland, believed to be the first European to reach North America around the year 1000 AD. His voyages, inspired by tales of lands to the west, led him to a place he called Vinland, which is thought to be part of present-day Newfoundland in Canada. Ericson's journeys are significant as they represent one of the earliest known European contacts with the Americas long before Columbus's time.
Martin Waldseemuller: Martin Waldseemuller was a German cartographer known for producing one of the first maps to use the name 'America' in 1507. His work played a crucial role in the European understanding of the New World during the age of exploration, reflecting the growing interest in mapping newly discovered territories following Columbus's voyages.
New England Area: The New England Area refers to a region in the northeastern United States that includes states like Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. This area was significant during the era of European exploration as it became one of the first regions settled by English colonists, influenced by early exploration efforts and interactions with Native American tribes.
Northwest Passage: The Northwest Passage is a sea route through the Arctic Ocean, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, sought after by explorers during the Age of Exploration. It was believed to provide a shorter and faster shipping route to Asia, which was highly desirable for trade in spices and luxury goods, leading to intense competition among European powers.
Quebec in New France: Quebec was the first permanent French settlement in North America, established in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain as part of the larger territory of New France. It became a vital center for trade, exploration, and the spread of French culture and influence in the region. Quebec's strategic location along the St. Lawrence River allowed it to serve as a gateway for French expansion into the interior of North America.
Santa María: The Santa María was one of the three ships used by Christopher Columbus during his first voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492. This flagship played a crucial role in the European exploration of the Americas, symbolizing the beginning of sustained contact between Europe and the New World, which would have profound implications for both continents.
San Salvador: San Salvador is the name of the island where Christopher Columbus first landed in the New World on October 12, 1492, during his first voyage. This pivotal event marked the beginning of European exploration and colonization in the Americas, leading to profound changes in global trade, culture, and geopolitics.
South America: South America is a continent located in the Western Hemisphere, primarily in the Southern Hemisphere, bordered by the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It is known for its diverse geography, rich cultural heritage, and significant indigenous civilizations that existed long before European exploration and colonization.
Southernmost Tip of Africa: The Southernmost Tip of Africa, also known as Cape Agulhas, is the point where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, marking the geographic boundary of the African continent. This region played a crucial role in European exploration and maritime trade routes during the Age of Exploration, as it served as a significant waypoint for sailors navigating towards the East Indies and eventually the Americas.
Spanish Crown: The Spanish Crown refers to the monarchy of Spain, specifically during the period of exploration and colonization of the Americas in the late 15th to early 17th centuries. This powerful institution was integral in overseeing colonial administration, economic exploitation, and the establishment of social hierarchies in the New World, influencing both European exploration in the Americas and the labor systems, including slavery, that developed in its colonies.
Taino: The Taino were an indigenous people of the Caribbean, primarily found in present-day Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica. They were among the first groups encountered by European explorers, particularly Christopher Columbus, during the late 15th century. Their interactions with Europeans marked the beginning of significant cultural and demographic changes in the region.