Exploration to California

Use the chart to answer the question.

What was the first California bay discovered by one of these explorers? When was it discovered?

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Answer explanation

San Diego Bay in 1542

What was the main reason the Spanish came to Mexico?

• to catch wild horses

• to find gold and silver

• to trade for animal furs

• to go to a different church

Why did European explorers want to reach Asia?

• to build a bigger army

• to escape from a cruel king

• to trade for spices and silks

• to learn how other people lived

What was one reason it was hard for Juan Cabrillo to sail north along the Pacific coast?

• There was too little wind.

• The land was sandy deserts.

• The coastline was rocky.

• The ocean current flowed north.

What was Francis Drake looking for on the Pacific coast?

• an American Indian village

• some Russian ships to attack

• better land for European farmers

• a waterway across North America

Gaspar de Portolá led the first European expedition to Alta California that

• started settlements.

• traveled on the ocean.

• found gold in the hills.

• attacked Spanish ships.

Juan Cabrillo was from

Choose the word that completes the following sentence.

Drake's _______ was the second to sail around the world.

• colony

• expedition

• pueblo

• strait

Choose the word that completes the following sentence.

Alta and Baja California each became a(n) __________ of Spain.

• colony

• expedition

• pueblo

• strait

Choose the word that completes the following sentence.

Vitus Bering is most famous for discovering a(n) _____ separating Asia and North

America.

• colony

• expedition

• pueblo

• strait