Exploration of the New World

Columbian Exchange Voyages of Columbus triggered transfer of people, plants, animals, and disease. Brought new crops to Europe (corn, squash, and potatoes)Introduced domesticated animals ( Horses, cows, pigs, and sheep)Disease spread rapidly

Hernan Cortes

Arrived in Mexico in 1519Searched for the AztecsClaimed Tenochtitlan for Spain, known as New Spain

Francisco Pizarro

1532 Conquered Peru or Inca EmpireSmallpox demolished a large population of the Inca’s Spanish conquered much of South America

Juan Ponce de Leon Discovered gold in Puerto Rico Search for the “Fountain of Youth” April 1513 Landed on present day Floridareturned 8 years later to colonize

Francisco Vasquez de Coronado

1540 find golden citiesLeft from Mexico City and traveled north Seven Cities, Seven Little Villages

Pedro Menedez de Aviles

Sent to FLorida to protect area from French St. Augustine fort

Jacques Cartier

1534 French sent him to explore Atlantic coastline Find Northwest PassagewayClaimed Canada, New France Beaver fur

Samuel de ChamplainFounded first settlement in New France in 1608 sailed up Saint Lawerence to now Quebec Quebec base for French settlers

Father Marquette and Louis Joliet

Explored the Mississippi River 1673Hope it would lead to the Northwest Passageway

Robert Cavelier de La Salle Explored the length of the Mississippi River April 9,1682 planted a French flag at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Claimed everything west of the Mississippi for France Named the area Louisiana, after their ing, King Louis XIV