European Explorers Study Guide
Vocabulary
fleet, n. A group of ships, planes, trucks, or other vehicles that are controlled by a single person,
company, or government
sponsors, n. People who pay for the cost of an activity or event
conquistadors [kon-KEES-tah-dors], n. The Spanish word for conquerors; travelers, soldiers, and
explorers from Spain who traveled to North, Central, and South America to look for
wealth, conquer the native peoples, and gain control of land
raided, v. Attacked in a sudden and unexpected way, often to steal goods
immune, adj. Protected from disease
expedition, n. A journey taken for a specific purpose, often by a large group of people
rebellion, n. An open and often violent attempt by a group of people to overthrow a
government or person in power
translator, n. A person who changes words from one language to another, so that people who
speak different languages can understand one another
mutiny, n. A refusal by followers to obey the rules and orders of the person in charge; rebellion
scouting, v. Exploring or searching for something
convert, v. To change from one form to another; to change from one religion to another
mainland, n. A large area of land, not including islands, that makes up the main part of a country
or region
missions, n. Communities set up to convert groups of people from one religion to another
embark, v. To get on a ship, airplane, or other vehicle and begin a journey; to start a journey
commodity, n. A good or service, that can be bought and sold, often delivered by shipment
profits, n. Money made in business after all expenses, or costs, are subtracted
archipelago, n. [ahr-kuh-PEL-uh-goh] A chain of islands
cultivation, n. The growing of crops; the caring for crops
envisioned, v. Imagined what something would look like or be like
pelts, n. Hides or skins of animals, including the fur
Important European Explorers
John Cabot – Traveled through the Southwest and was the first known European to see the Grand
Canyon.
Henry Hudson – Searched for a Northwest Passage and explored the area that today is the state of New
York. There is a river and bay named after him.
Juan Ponce de Leon – Legend has it that this explorer may have searched for a Fountain of Youth: he
explored the Florida peninsula, as well as the Gulf Stream.
Christopher Columbus – This explorer set sail in 1492, a year that changed the world.
Important Facts
~ Christopher Columbus was sponsored by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain to seek out riches
and spice from the new found land.
~ St. Augustine is the oldest continuously inhabited city in North America settled by Europeans.
~ Conquistador means “conqueror” and describes someone who traveled to North, Central, and South
America to look for wealth, conquer the native peoples, and take over land?
~ Henry Hudson wrote about his friendly contact with native people as he traveled upstream by river in
search of a Northwest Passage?
~ Hernando de Soto explored the areas that today are Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama,
and killed more than two thousand Mississippians
~ Hernando de Soto took a native chief, Vitachuco, prisoner.
~ Colonization means “the process of taking control of an area and sending people to the newly
controlled land to develop a settlement there”.
~ Uncharted means “unfamiliar”.