First to travel to China and told others about the riches he discovered.
Marco Polo
100
Searched for the Fountain of Youth but conquered Puerto Rico and Florida.
Juan Ponce de Leon
100
A route to Asia that went through or around North America.
Northwest Passage
100
Why did Europeans explore the Americas?
They wanted to find a western trade route to Asia.
200
Created a school of navigation which made traveling and exploration easier.
Prince Henry the Navigator
200
Wanted to find the Seven Cities of Gold. Landed in Mexico where he encountered the Aztecs and ultimately defeated them.
Hernando Cortes
200
Large sums of money offered to those who led expeditions.
Grants
200
What two oceans did explorers cross when they sailed west from Europe to Asia?
Atlantic and Pacific
300
Attempted to sail to Asia but ended up in the Americas. Was sponsored by Spain and promised to spread Catholic beliefs to the lands and people he discovered.
Christopher Columbus
300
Spanish conquistador who explored South America and defeated the Inca empire.
Francisco Pizzaro
300
Spanish explorers who went on expeditions to increase their wealth. They were often violent towards the native people they encountered.
Conquistadors
300
What was the main reason the Spanish explored and conquered large parts of the Americas?
They wanted to gain wealth and fame while also spreading their religion.
400
One of the first Europeans to settle in the Americas and reach the Pacific Ocean. Explored the isthmus of Panama.
Vasco Nunez de Balboa
400
Spanish Conquistador that explored the southeastern United States but landed near Tampa Bay and was the first to See the Mississippi River.
Hernando de Soto
400
An agreement between countries.
Treaty
400
WHy did explorers want to find the Northwest Passage?
They believed it was a shortcut to Asia that would bring wealth and power.
500
Circumnavigated the globe.
Ferdinand Magellan
500
Explored New York and the water around it. His crew mutinied and set him adrift in the ocean.
Henry Hudson
500
A narrow strip of land that connects two large land areas.
Isthmus
500
What group of Europeans explored North America about A.D. 1000?