Exploring North America

The North American Continent

• Different from South America and Central America– Less Populated by

Natives– Colder/Harsh

Climate– Large Forests– No GOLD

Goals of North American Exploration

• The lack of Gold in North America will cause Explorers to such for other forms of Revenue– Cotton– Tobacco– Animal Furs

• Also Explorers will be looking for a Northwest Passage to India

The French

• Explored the St. Lawrence River, Great Lakes, and Mississippi River

• Montreal• Quebec• Detroit• New Orleans• Duquesne

• Built a Trading Empire on Furs

• The Men who came were similar to the Conquistadors

The English

• Two Groups will settle along the East Coast of North America

Conquerors: Looking for their own FortunePilgrims: Looking for Religious Freedom and a New Jerusalem

Conquerors

• Sailing for the Virginia Company Settled in Jamestown Virginia

• Jamestown in quickly built in a Swamp

• The Settlers spend the first 7 years looking for gold

• However, The Settlers eventually find something even better Tobacco

Pilgrims

• Settled in Plymouth and established a Religious Community much like Geneva

• The Pilgrims felt that Europe was to corrupt to save and they need to start over in the New World

What is Different About the English

• The English will settle the land

• The Settlers are looking to stay in North America

• Settlers will include Women and Children establishing a New Western World

Why are the English Different

• England is extremely overcrowded!!! • Religion also plays a major role– Many in England are not happy with the way the

Protestant Reformation happened in England• The Catholics will move to Maryland to practice their

religion• Puritans and Separatists believe England and Europe

are hopeless