Explorers of the New World

Front

Who was Christopher Columbus?

Back

An Italian ship captain who believed he could find Asia by sailing west from Europe across the Atlantic Ocean. He set sail from Spain with the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria and landed on the Bahama Islands on October 12, 1492.

Front

What did Columbus call the people he met in the Bahamas and why?

Back

He called them 'Indians' because he thought he was close to India.

Front

Who gets credit for discovering the 'New World'?

Back

Christopher Columbus.

Front

Who was Giovanni da Verrazano?

Back

An Italian explorer hired by the King of France to sail north of where Columbus sailed. He reached the Atlantic coast (now South Carolina) in 1524 and sailed into New York Bay.

Front

What is Giovanni da Verrazano known for?

Back

He was the first European explorer to visit New York, and a bridge is named after him.

Front

Who was Jacques Cartier?

Back

A French explorer who sailed for France to find a passage through North America to Asia. He traveled up the St. Lawrence River in 1536.

Front

Why did France want Jacques Cartier to explore North America?

Back

France wanted to trade with the Native Americans for furs.

Front

Who was Samuel de Champlain?

Back

A French explorer who followed Cartier’s route and built a permanent settlement along the St. Lawrence River in Quebec in 1608.

Front

What did Samuel de Champlain do in 1609?

Back

He discovered a large lake and named it Lake Champlain.

Front

Who were Champlain's allies and enemies?

Back

Champlain made allies with the Algonkians and became enemies with the Iroquois after joining the Algonkians in an attack on them.