European Exploration in North America and West Africa

Today I will research information about the motivations for, obstacles to, and accomplishments of various countries' explorations.

So that I have an accurate understanding of this important time in America’s past.

I know I’ve got it when I can write down one piece of information that I learned for each of the following: the motivations for, obstacles to, and accomplishments of various countries' explorations researched with 80% accuracy.

Please Write the following six questions on six seperate index cards.

1) Why did European countries compete for power in North America?

2) What were the obstacles faced by the explorers?

3) What were the accomplishments of the explorations?

4) What regions of North America were explored and settled by France, England, and Spain?

5) Who were some of the important explorers for each of these countries?

6) What regions were explored by Portugal?

Now, please go to the "process" tab and gather the information you need to answer the questions on the backs of the index cards. *** Please put the information in YOUR OWN WORDS***

Thank you! :)

Motivations for the explorations

Economic—Gold, natural resources, and trade

Religious—Spread Christianity

Competitions for empire and belief in superiority of own culture 

*** Remember the 3 G's: Gold, God, Glory. ***

Obstacles to the explorations

Poor maps and navigational tools

Disease and starvation

Fear of the unknown

Lack of adequate supplies

Accomplishments of the explorations

Exchanged goods and ideas

Improved navigational tools and ships

Claimed territories (see countries below)

Regions of North America explored by Spain, France, and England

Spain: Francisco Coronado claimed the Southwest of the present-day United States for Spain.

France: Samuel de Champlain established the French settlement of Québec. Robert La Salle claimed the Mississippi River Valley for France.

England: John Cabot explored eastern Canada.

Regions explored by Portugal

The Portuguese made voyages of discovery along the coast of West Africa.

On a seperate note card, give at least one example for each of the following:

The motivations for, obstacles to, and accomplishments of the various countries' explorations you just learned about.

Please remember to write your name on the card and hand it to Ms. Lynam :)

In conclusion, major European countries were in competition to extend their power into North America and claim the land as their own. These countries included France, England, and Spain. Other countries explored different pieces of land, for example, Portugal explored along the coast of West Africa.

All of the information for this webquest was gathered from the Virginia Depeartment of Education website. The link is posted below.

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/frameworks/history_socialscienc…

Well hi there! :)