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European Exploration and its Impact on Georgia Teacher Notes

European nations had different reasons for exploring North America, specifically the Southeast. Economic competition between the French, the Dutch, the Spanish, and the English was a primary cause for the exploration of North America. Each desired to build a large empire that would create political and economic dominance in the world.

France

France, interested in developing a serious fur trade in North America, was primarily interested in Louisiana, the Ohio Valley, and Canada. However, in 1562, Jean Ribault explored Georgia’s coastline in search of the ideal location on which to establish a French colony. He chose a South Carolina location instead. French Protestants eventually moved from South Carolina into Georgia as they sought religious freedom in the 1730’s.

Spain

Spain was interested in North America (particularly the Southeast) for the three G’s: God, Gold and Glory. Converting the American Indians to Christianity, filling the Spanish monarch’s treasury with gold, and seeking personal fortune and fame were the goals of Spanish conquistadores. The Spanish never realized the need for self-sustaining colonies as they were preoccupied with their search for gold.

England

England desired to create permanent colonies in North America to support the economic policy of mercantilism (the economic policy in which a country seeks to export more than it imports). The “mother country” developed colonies that produced raw materials that would be shipped “home” for production into finished products. These products would be shipped back to the colony for purchase by the colonists. Other reasons for creating colonies included a desire for “religious freedom” and a place to begin a “new life”.

Guided Questions:

1. What was the primary cause for exploration in North America?

2. What type of trade did France develop in North America, and where specifically?

3. Why did the Spanish never realize the need to create self-sustaining colonies?

4. What are the 3 steps to the economic policy of mercantilism?

5. Other than mercantilism, what were the 2 other reasons England had for creating colonies?

Spanish in Georgia

Spanish contact had a dramatic impact on the American Indian culture in Georgia. Hernando DeSoto, the first known European explorer in Georgia, was directly responsible for starving and killing a large number of American Indians in his quest for God, gold and glory. Without an established plan for exploration, DeSoto and his men moved from Florida into southwest Georgia in their search for gold. The American Indians often provided DeSoto false information regarding vast stores of gold further north in an attempt to protect their own villages/towns. Though DeSoto never found the gold he

desired, he did introduce Europe to southeastern North America. The journals maintained by DeSoto’s men are the first to give insight into the Mississippian chiefdom culture. DeSoto’s journey is credited with introducing pigs to North America and devastating diseases to the American Indian culture. Smallpox was spread by the extensive trade network utilized by the Mississippians. Measles and influenza also attacked the Mississippians at alarming rates. DeSoto’s failed expedition (his men never found gold and he died near the Mississippi River and was buried in the river) led to increased efforts by the French and Spanish to explore the southeast coastline and to establish colonies.

Guided Questions:

6. What did the journals kept by Desoto's men during his expedition throughout the southeast give us?

7. What animal did Desoto's expedition bring to the New World?

8. Name 3 devastating diseases Desoto's expedition brought to the American Indians?

9. Why was Desoto's expedition considered a failure? (2 reasons)

Spanish Missions

Colonization efforts were not met with great success. However, the most successful Spanish colonization attempt was during the “Mission Period” from 1568 – 1684. It was during this period that Spain built several missions (churches) on the barrier islands as well as on the mainland. These sites included missions on Cumberland Island, St. Catherine’s Island, and near the Okefenokee Swamp. Missions built on the mainland were located as far inland as the current cities of Valdosta and Lumber City.

Spanish missions were located near Mississippian towns so the priests and friars could achieve their primary goal: the conversion of the American Indians to Christianity (Catholicism). Consequently, the missions encouraged the American Indians to embrace Spanish political and economic systems. As an example, to show allegiance to the Spanish, unmarried American Indian males were required to work in Saint Augustine for several months out of the year, causing considerable change to the American Indian society. The close contact with the Spanish brought disease and death to the American Indians, who were increasingly disturbed by the changes to their own culture. By the mid-1600’s, the Spanish mission system was crumbling. British influence (based in the South Carolina colony) often stirred American Indians to raid the missions and, by 1680’s, coastal missions were abandoned by the Spanish. A pirate raid in 1684 pushed the remainder of the mission American Indians into Florida, ending the Spanish mission period in Georgia.

Guided Questions:

10. Where did the Spanish build their missions?

11. What was the primary goal of the Spanish Missions?

12. What impact did the Spanish Missions have on American Indian society?

13. What 2 events caused the end of the Spanish mission period in Georgia?

Glossary

1. Age of Exploration- period of time when European countries traveled the world in search of new trade routes2. Lief Ericson – Famous Viking; First European to explore North America3. Far East – Japan, China and India; Trade partners with European countries.4. Christopher Columbus – Italian explorer; Sailed on behalf of Spain; Given credit for New World discovery when

he landed in the Bahamas in 1492. 5. Jean Ribault - explored Georgia’s coastline in search of the ideal location on which to establish a French colony6. Barrier islands - several island off Georgia’s coast; inhabited by Native Americans; the Spanish built several

missions on these islands. 7. De Soto, Hernando (1496-1542) - Spanish Conquistador who led an expedition through the Southeastern United

States; credited as being the first European in Georgia. 8. French Protestants - Came to the “New World” in search of religious freedom9. The 3 G’s - God, Gold, and Glory The Spanish focus for colonizing the “New World”10. Mercantilism - the English economic policy focused on exporting more than importing. Main reason why the

English wanted to colonize the “New World”11. Spanish Missions - churches set up by the Spanish in hopes of converting Native Americans to Christianity.