Explorers
In our third unit, we learned about all the explorers who came into contact with the Americas. We discussed what decisions they had to make on their journey here, as well as what risks they had to take to survive.
The Vikings
The Vikings were the first European people to travel to North America. These Scandinavians were exceptional sailors but were very selfish, greedy, and often times vulgar. Although the Vikings have a bad reputation, they contributed much to the makings of America. The two most famous Vikings, Eric the Red and Lief Ericson were the first of their people to explore North America. Eric the Red explored Greenland in 982 AD. Lief Ericson, Eric the Red's son, sailed to North America in 1001 and discovered what is now Newfoundland. |
The Dark Ages
Th Dark Ages, also known as the Middle Ages, took place from the 500's to 1400's when the Roman Empire fell. This caused Europe to split up into tribes and became the beginnings of a feudalistic government. During this time, there were also barbarians going around killing people. The poor tribes would ask the rich tribes for protection against the barbarians and in return they would act as servants.
Th Dark Ages, also known as the Middle Ages, took place from the 500's to 1400's when the Roman Empire fell. This caused Europe to split up into tribes and became the beginnings of a feudalistic government. During this time, there were also barbarians going around killing people. The poor tribes would ask the rich tribes for protection against the barbarians and in return they would act as servants.
The Renaissance
The Renaissance was the era of learning. The movable type was invented by Johannes Gutenberg which allowed more books to be printed at faster rates. Since there were more books, more people learned to read and they started to think for themselves. Kings and Queens were seeking for more land during this time and sent the following explorers to expand their country.
The Renaissance was the era of learning. The movable type was invented by Johannes Gutenberg which allowed more books to be printed at faster rates. Since there were more books, more people learned to read and they started to think for themselves. Kings and Queens were seeking for more land during this time and sent the following explorers to expand their country.
- Christopher Columbus - From Italian descent, Spain sent him to find a trade route to India. Due to incorrect mapping and knowledge of geography, he ended up in the Americas in 1492.
- Amerigo Vespucci - He was the first to map America proving that it was not India but a new land. Since he discovered the existence of America, it was named after him.
- Ferdinand Magellan - His crew was the first to sail around the world. Unfortunately, he was killed on the three year trip and did not sail the world himself.
- Vasco Nunez de Balboa - He was the first European to see the Pacific Ocean.
The Pilgrims
The Pilgrims sailed to North America on the Mayflower in 1620. They came to America in high hopes because they finally escaped the Church of England. The Pilgrims left England because they believed in religious freedom. The Pilgrims went through a rough patch when they first arrived and were helped by the Native Americans. This became what would lead to the first Thanksgiving.
The Pilgrims sailed to North America on the Mayflower in 1620. They came to America in high hopes because they finally escaped the Church of England. The Pilgrims left England because they believed in religious freedom. The Pilgrims went through a rough patch when they first arrived and were helped by the Native Americans. This became what would lead to the first Thanksgiving.
What motivates people to take risks? I believe that status, popularity and freedom is one of the main reasons people take risks. If they benefit greatly from the risk, then they think the risk is worth the price. For example, many explorers were serfs and they needed to be promoted a class. The only way to do that was to become an explorer. I think that if our community was more motivated to take risks, a lot of teenagers my age would be participating in a lot more social activities and learning skills that cold help them in their career.