Chapter 2, Section 2 – Europeans Reach the Americas
Christopher Columbus
Convinced he could reach Asia by sailing west.
Asked King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain
to sponsor his voyage.
Promised to give them:
Great Riches
New Territory
Catholic Converts
Set sail with the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa
Maria
Discovered land on October 12, 1492
San Salvador (Bahamas)
Since he thought he was the Indian islands, he
called the natives Indians.
In total, Columbus made four voyages to the New
World – DID NOT SET FOOT IN THE PRESENT DAY
UNITED STATES.
Impact of Columbus’s Voyages
Changed the way Europeans viewed the world –
new lands to explore.
His “discovery” created conflict between Spain
and Portugal.
Line of Demarcation (LOD)
Pope Alexander VI settled dispute by dividing the
New World between Spain and Portugal
Spain had rights to all the unexplored land west of
the LOD, and Portugal had the rights to all lands
east of the LOD
Treaty of Tordesillas
Portugal thought the settlement favored Spain
and demanded fair treatment.
The Line of Demarcation (LOD) was move 800
miles further west.
Gave Portugal the rights to more land
Other Explorers
Amerigo Vespucci
Sailed a Spanish fleet to South America
Though he discovered a New World
Created several maps of the New World and it
eventually was named in his honor (America)
Vasco Nunez de Balboa
Heard rumor of an unknown ocean
Set out to discovered it
Explored present-day Panama
Discovered and named the Pacific Ocean
Ferdinand Magellan
Portuguese sailor who sailed a Spanish fleet
His crew was the first to circumnavigate the world
Magellan did not complete the trip; he was killed
along the way
Columbian Exchange
The transfer of plants and animals from Europe to
the New World and from the New World to
Europe, Asia and Africa.