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Major Explorers
Let’s Review the Major Explorers of the Northwest Passage
Explorer
|
Sailed For
|
Area explored
|
Giovanni Caboto(known as John Cabot)(Italian) |
England
|
Northeast coastline of Canada
North America |
Giovanni daVerrazano (Italian)
|
France
|
New York Bay and mouth of Hudson River East Coast
|
Jacques Cartier (French)
|
France
|
St. Lawrence River Canada
|
Henry Hudson (English)
|
Netherlands
|
Hudson River New York
Hudson Bay, Canada
|
Samuel de Champlain
(French)
|
France
|
St. Lawrence River, Quebec Canada, and northern New York
|
John Cabot
(Giovanni Caboto)
John Cabot, like Columbus, believed that Asia could be reached by sailing westward. Cabot, an Italian ship captain, made two voyages to the new world. In 1497, he sailed for the King of England. He reached the northern coast of North America in what today is part of Canada. He sailed southward, exploring possibly as far as New York.
In 1498, Cabot returned to explore more of this new land. As a result of his voyages, the English king later claimed the land Cabot explored for England.
In 1498, Cabot returned to explore more of this new land. As a result of his voyages, the English king later claimed the land Cabot explored for England.
Giovanni da Verrazano:
In 1524, Giovanni da Verrazano, an Italian explorer, sailing for France, reached the eastern coast of North America. He sailed up and down the coast looking for a passage that would take him west through the continent. He reached the mouth of the Hudson River in New York Bay, and wrote "we found a very pleasant situation amongst some steep hills ..."
After rowing ashore in a small boat Verrazano had a brief encounter with a group of Native Americans. The friendly natives welcomed the strangers, giving them gifts and food. Verrazano and his crew did not stay long however, due to uncertain weather.
A bridge connecting Long Island and Staten Island today is named the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, after this early explorer.
After rowing ashore in a small boat Verrazano had a brief encounter with a group of Native Americans. The friendly natives welcomed the strangers, giving them gifts and food. Verrazano and his crew did not stay long however, due to uncertain weather.
A bridge connecting Long Island and Staten Island today is named the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, after this early explorer.
Jacques Cartier
In 1534, the French king, Francis I, sent Jacques Cartier, a French navigator and explorer to North America. He wanted Cartier to search for gold and other precious metals, as well as to seek a water route through North America. Cartier sailed into what is now the Gulf of St. Lawrence, claiming the land along the river for France.
Cartier encountered Native Americans along the shores of the St. Lawrence River. He gave them gifts and established friendly relations with them. Today the people of New York state enjoy a state park located on the St. Lawrence River named after Jacques Cartier.
Cartier encountered Native Americans along the shores of the St. Lawrence River. He gave them gifts and established friendly relations with them. Today the people of New York state enjoy a state park located on the St. Lawrence River named after Jacques Cartier.
Henry Hudson:
In 1609, an English sea captain, Henry Hudson sailed to America for a Dutch trading company. Hudson and his crew aboard the ship, Half Moon, were searching for the Northwest Passage. They sailed into a great river know today as the Hudson. The crew of the Half Moon fished, traded with the Native Americans, and explored the river. They sailed up the river until it became too shallow to navigate near present-day Albany. Hudson claimed the land they explored in the Hudson River Valley for Holland.
Samuel de Champlain:
Samuel de Champlain was a French explorer who became known as the "Father of New France." In 1603 he went on his first voyage to North America on an exploration and fur-trading expedition. He returned a year later, to look for a place in which to make a permanent French settlement. He remained until 1607, exploring the Atlantic coast from Canada to Massachusetts.
In 1608, Champlain brought a group of settlers to the area along the St. Lawrence River. They built a trading post and settlement. It was the first European settlement in Canada. They called it Quebec. Today it is the oldest city in Canada.
Champlain befriended the Huron Indians living near Quebec in 1609, and began trading for furs. This peaceful relationship helped make it easier to explore the area. Their friendship also made them allies in battle against the Huron's bitter enemies, the Iroquois. Champlain and his French companions helped the Hurons attack the Iroquois in what is now New York State. They easily won the battle with their muskets. It was during this raid that he discovered a lake on the border of northern New York State. He named this lake, Lake Champlain.
In 1608, Champlain brought a group of settlers to the area along the St. Lawrence River. They built a trading post and settlement. It was the first European settlement in Canada. They called it Quebec. Today it is the oldest city in Canada.
Champlain befriended the Huron Indians living near Quebec in 1609, and began trading for furs. This peaceful relationship helped make it easier to explore the area. Their friendship also made them allies in battle against the Huron's bitter enemies, the Iroquois. Champlain and his French companions helped the Hurons attack the Iroquois in what is now New York State. They easily won the battle with their muskets. It was during this raid that he discovered a lake on the border of northern New York State. He named this lake, Lake Champlain.
Definitions
| Northwest Passage: A water route through North America to Asia |
The Silk Road
The Silk Road was a trade route that went from China to Eastern Europe. It went along the northern borders of China, India, and Persia and ended up in Eastern Europe near today's Turkey and the Mediterranean Sea.

Map of the Silk Road - Route in red (later ocean routes in blue)
Why was the Silk Road important?
The Silk Road was important because it helped to generate trade and commerce between a number of different kingdoms and empires. This helped for ideas, culture, inventions, and unique products to spread across much of the settled world.
Why is it called the Silk Road?
It was called the Silk Road because one of the major products traded was silk cloth from China. People throughout Asia and Europe prized Chinese silk for its softness and luxury. The Chinese sold silk for thousands of years and even the Romans called China the "land of silk".
What goods did the Chinese trade?
Besides silk, the Chinese also exported (sold) teas, salt, sugar, porcelain, and spices. Most of what was traded was expensive luxury goods. This was because it was a long trip and merchants didn't have a lot of room for goods. They imported, or bought, goods like cotton, ivory, wool, gold, and silver.
How did they travel?
Merchants and tradesmen traveled in large caravans. They would have many guards with them. Traveling in a big group like a caravan helped in defending from bandits. Camels were popular animals for transport because much of the road was through dry and harsh land.
History
Although there was some trade between China and the rest of the world for some time, the silk trade was significantly expanded and promoted by the Han Dynasty which ruled from 206 BC to 220 AD.
Later, under the rule of the Yuan Dynasty set up by Kublai Khan of the Mongols, trade from China along the Silk Road would reach its peak. During this time the Mongols controlled a significant portion of the trade route, enabling Chinese merchants to travel safely. Also, merchants were granted more social status during the Mongol rule.
Fun facts about the Silk Road

Map of the Silk Road - Route in red (later ocean routes in blue)
Why was the Silk Road important?
The Silk Road was important because it helped to generate trade and commerce between a number of different kingdoms and empires. This helped for ideas, culture, inventions, and unique products to spread across much of the settled world.
Why is it called the Silk Road?
It was called the Silk Road because one of the major products traded was silk cloth from China. People throughout Asia and Europe prized Chinese silk for its softness and luxury. The Chinese sold silk for thousands of years and even the Romans called China the "land of silk".
What goods did the Chinese trade?
Besides silk, the Chinese also exported (sold) teas, salt, sugar, porcelain, and spices. Most of what was traded was expensive luxury goods. This was because it was a long trip and merchants didn't have a lot of room for goods. They imported, or bought, goods like cotton, ivory, wool, gold, and silver.
How did they travel?
Merchants and tradesmen traveled in large caravans. They would have many guards with them. Traveling in a big group like a caravan helped in defending from bandits. Camels were popular animals for transport because much of the road was through dry and harsh land.
History
Although there was some trade between China and the rest of the world for some time, the silk trade was significantly expanded and promoted by the Han Dynasty which ruled from 206 BC to 220 AD.
Later, under the rule of the Yuan Dynasty set up by Kublai Khan of the Mongols, trade from China along the Silk Road would reach its peak. During this time the Mongols controlled a significant portion of the trade route, enabling Chinese merchants to travel safely. Also, merchants were granted more social status during the Mongol rule.
Fun facts about the Silk Road
- It was over 4,000 miles long.
- Marco Polo traveled to China along the Silk Road.
- Not all that was traded along the Silk Road was good. It is thought that the bubonic plague, or Black Death, traveled to Europe from the Silk Road.
- Very few merchants traveled along the entire route. Goods were traded at many cities and trade posts along the way.
- There wasn't just one route, but many routes. Some were shorter, but more dangerous. Others took longer, but were safer.
Sunday, August 14, 2016
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Factors for a Successful Civilization
Civilizations need:
1.Education,
2. Water,
3. Communities,
4. Workforce,
5. Army and leadership,
6. Religion,
7. Language,
8. Healthy population,
9. Employment opportunities,
10.Agriculture.

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