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== Exploration (Columbian Period) ==

== Exploration (Columbian Period) ==

Starting in the Middle Ages, Christian Europe began to use its knowledge, wealth and [[faith]] to extend beyond its horizons.  Christian Europeans fought the Holy [[Crusades]] from 1095 to 1291 to protect pilgrims to [[Jerusalem]] against Muslim attacks.  Some Europeans were motivated to spread the [[Gospel]].  Others were motivated by a desire to increase their wealth, such as by finding gold.   

Starting in the Middle Ages, Europe began to use its knowledge, wealth and [[faith]] to extend beyond its horizons.  Christian Europeans fought the Holy [[Crusades]] from 1095 to 1291 to protect pilgrims to [[Jerusalem]] against Muslim attacks.  Some Europeans were motivated to spread the [[Gospel]].  Others were motivated by a desire to increase their wealth, such as by finding gold.   

People in [[Ancient Greece]] knew that the world was round, and that it should be possible to reach the Orient by traveling west '''''around''''' the world.  Ironically, it was the very knowledge of the Earth's circumference that deterred a westward passage - the distance to the Orient in that direction was beyond the open-water range of ships in that period.  Steamships did not exist yet; the ships in the 1400s relied on sailing, using wind to reach their destination, but wind patterns did not always cooperate.   

People in [[Ancient Greece]] knew that the world was round, and that it should be possible to reach the Orient by traveling west '''''around''''' the world.  Ironically, it was the very knowledge of the Earth's circumference that deterred a westward passage - the distance to the Orient in that direction was beyond the open-water range of ships in that period.  Steamships did not exist yet; the ships in the 1400s relied on sailing, using wind to reach their destination, but wind patterns did not always cooperate.   

Thus, centuries passed before one man inspired by the Christian [[faith]] was determined to change the world of his time.  By the young age of 10, the Italian [[Christopher Columbus]] was working at sea, already on his way to becoming a master navigator and mariner.  He learned the patterns of the Atlantic trade winds, and their ability to carry sailing vessels across vast distances both eastward and westward before one's provisions would run out.  With the charts he developed, he was certain he could reach Asia on a westbound route more efficiently than others could.

Thus, centuries passed before one man inspired by his [[faith]] was determined to change the world of his time.  By the young age of 10, the Italian [[Christopher Columbus]] was working at sea, already on his way to becoming a master navigator and mariner.  He learned the patterns of the Atlantic trade winds, and their ability to carry sailing vessels across vast distances both eastward and westward before one's provisions would run out.  With the charts he developed, he was certain he could reach Asia on a westbound route more efficiently than others could.

It took enormous courage, determination and financial support to sail west into the complete unknown.  It also took more than a desire to get rich, because there were easier ways to make money.  That additional desire was a passion to spread Christianity to new civilizations.  In 1482, [[Christopher Columbus]] sought financing to sail west in order to find an easier way to reach the Far East, by sailing westward rather than going eastward from Europe to reach India and Japan.  Columbus tried to raise money in Portugal for his trip, but it already had its own successful explorers.  Portugal declined to support him.  Yet Columbus did not give up.

It took enormous courage, determination and financial support to sail west into the complete unknown.  It also took more than a desire to get rich, because there were easier ways to make money.  That additional desire was a passion to spread Christianity to new civilizations.  In 1482, [[Christopher Columbus]] sought financing to sail west in order to find an easier way to reach the Far East, by sailing westward rather than going eastward from Europe to reach India and Japan.  Columbus tried to raise money in Portugal for his trip, but it already had its own successful explorers.  Portugal declined to support him.  Yet Columbus did not give up.

Columbus set sail in three ships.  On Christmas eve, December 24, 1492, one of Columbus's ships, the [[Santa Maria]], reached the island of [[Haiti]].  Columbus named the settlement "La Navidad," meaning "The Nativity," and dropped off 40 men with a promise to return to them the next year.  Columbus then wrote for the King and Queen of Spain in his Journal:  "In all the world there can be no better or gentler people.  Your Highnesses should feel great joy, because presently they will be Christians, and instructed in the good manners of your realms."

Columbus set sail in three ships.  On Christmas eve, December 24, 1492, one of Columbus's ships, the [[Santa Maria]], reached the island of [[Haiti]].  Columbus named the settlement "La Navidad," meaning "The Nativity," and dropped off 40 men with a promise to return to them the next year.  Columbus then wrote for the King and Queen of Spain in his Journal:  "In all the world there can be no better or gentler people.  Your Highnesses should feel great joy, because presently they will be Christians, and instructed in the good manners of your realms."

But Columbus had grossly underestimated the size of the world, and when he reached San Salvador, Haiti (Hispaniola) and Cuba he thought he had reached the Far East.  So he called the natives "Indians".  He left some men there but they were eventually killed by the natives.  Columbus reported back that new people had been found to evangelize with Christianity.

But Columbus had grossly underestimated the size of the world, and when he reached San Salvador, Haiti (Hispaniola) and Cuba he thought he had reached the Far East.  So he called the natives "Indians".  He left some men there but they were eventually killed by the natives.  Columbus reported back that new people had been found to evangelize.

Soon Spain and Portugal divided the Americas with the [[Line of Demarcation]], drawn by the Pope, such that Portugal could control east of the line, and Spain had dominion over west of the line.  The [[Treaty of Tordesillas]] moved the line in 1493.  It was a North-South line that gave North America and the western part of South America to Spain, but Brazil was given to Portugal.  That's why Brazilians speak Portuguese to this day.

Soon Spain and Portugal divided the Americas with the [[Line of Demarcation]], drawn by the Pope, such that Portugal could control east of the line, and Spain had dominion over west of the line.  The [[Treaty of Tordesillas]] moved the line in 1493.  It was a North-South line that gave North America and the western part of South America to Spain, but Brazil was given to Portugal.  That's why Brazilians speak Portuguese to this day.

The incredible genius of Columbus -- or Providence -- was demonstrated a year later on his second voyage across the Atlantic.  Amid the vast ocean, Columbus was able to return to exactly the same location that he had reached on his first voyage on the island of [[Hispaniola]].  That is like finding a needle in a haystack the size of a football stadium.  But Columbus's colony had not survived in his absence.

The incredible genius of Columbus -- or Providence -- was demonstrated a year later on his second voyage across the Atlantic.  Amid the vast ocean, Columbus was able to return to exactly the same location that he had reached on his first voyage on the island of [[Hispaniola]].  That is like finding a needle in a haystack the size of a football stadium.  But Columbus's colony had not survived in his absence.

Columbus sailed on a total of three subsequent voyages, but never achieved his goal.  Columbus died a failure.  His ultimate dream of liberating Jerusalem, as the Crusades attempted, was not realized.  But what he did achieve was to open the New World to spreading Christianity and creating new wealth.

Columbus sailed on a total of three subsequent voyages, but never achieved his goal and died a failure.  His ultimate dream of liberating Jerusalem, as the Crusades attempted, was not realized.  But what he did achieve was to open the New World to spreading Christianity and creating new wealth.

Columbus's efforts resulted in Spain acquiring [[Haiti]], [[Puerto Rico]], [[Jamaica]] and [[Cuba]] by 1515.  Spain then settled Florida (St. Augustine), and later Santa Fe (now in New Mexico).  Spanish [[Hernando Cortes]] conquered the Aztecs in central Mexico (1521), and [[Francisco Pizarro]] conquered the Incas of Peru (1531).  They seized much gold in the process.

Columbus's efforts resulted in Spain acquiring [[Haiti]], [[Puerto Rico]], [[Jamaica]] and [[Cuba]] by 1515.  Spain then settled Florida (St. Augustine), and later Santa Fe (now in New Mexico).  Spanish [[Hernando Cortes]] conquered the Aztecs in central Mexico (1521), and [[Francisco Pizarro]] conquered the Incas of Peru (1531).  They seized much gold in the process.

But while Spanish soldiers came to America, Spanish women and children did not.  So there were not many distinct, permanent Spanish settlements.  Also, the Spanish were entirely subservient to their King back in Europe.  Separate governments did not develop for the Spanish settlements in the New World.

But while Spanish soldiers came to America, Spanish women and children did not.  So there were not many distinct, permanent Spanish settlements.  Also, the Spanish were entirely subservient to their King back in Europe.  Separate governments did not develop for the Spanish settlements in the New World.

Other European powers were also exploring North America.  The French explored the St. Lawrence and settled Quebec, where French is still spoken to this day.  The French also explored the Mississippi, and settled the towns of Saint Louis (named after a French king) and New Orleans.

Other European powers were also exploring North America.  The French explored the St. Lawrence and settled Quebec, where French is still spoken to this day.  The French also explored the Mississippi, and settled the towns of Saint Louis (named after a French king) and New Orleans.

This became [[England]]'s first settlement of [[North America]], first unsuccessfully in 1585 and then in a bigger way in 1587, on [[Roanoke Island]] in [[Virginia]].  More than 100 families settled there, and the first English child born in America was "Virginia Dare."  But within a few years they had all disappeared.  It remains a mystery to this day what happened.  They could have died from disease or starvation.  They could have been killed by Indians.  No one knows the real reason for the disappearance of this settlement, and it's called the "[[Lost Colony]]."

This became [[England]]'s first settlement of [[North America]], first unsuccessfully in 1585 and then in a bigger way in 1587, on [[Roanoke Island]] in [[Virginia]].  More than 100 families settled there, and the first English child born in America was "Virginia Dare."  But within a few years they had all disappeared.  It remains a mystery to this day what happened.  They could have died from disease or starvation.  They could have been killed by Indians.  No one knows the real reason for the disappearance of this settlement, and it's called the "[[Lost Colony]]."

About the same time, however, England obtained a big victory in Europe.  Spain had ruled the high seas for most of the 1500s, but Sir Francis Drake was a superb sailor who sailed around South America and claimed California as "Nova Albion" for England while attacking Spanish ships and settlements in Central America in the 1580s.  He then led the English to a stunning victory over Spanish Armada in 1588, virtually destroying Spain's entire fleet of massive ships.  That left England, under Queen Elizabeth, with the ability to gain control of the oceans and world trade over the seas.  England could then protect its newly developing colonies against other European powers.

About the same time, however, England obtained a big victory in Europe.  Spain had ruled the high seas for most of the 1500s, but Sir Francis Drake was a superb English sailor who sailed around South America and claimed California as "Nova Albion" for England while attacking Spanish ships and settlements in Central America in the 1580s.  He then led the English to a stunning victory over Spanish Armada in 1588, virtually destroying Spain's entire fleet of massive ships.  That left England, under Queen Elizabeth, with the ability to gain control of the oceans and world trade over the seas.  England could then protect its newly developing colonies against other European powers.

'''Debate:  Did Europeans have a right to explore North America?'''

'''Debate:  Did Europeans have a right to explore North America?'''