Why Do Explorers Explore

Name______Social Studies Date______Explorers

Why Do Explorers Explore?

“Men have traveled …for religion, for wealth, for knowledge, for pleasure, for power and the overthrow of rivals. In all these dreams… there is the same glitter of gold and precious stones, the same odour of far-fetched spices.” Sir Walter Raleigh, 1605

An explorer is a person who journeys to the unknown for the purpose of discovery. When we think of explorers today, we normally imagine bold adventurers who travel far into unknown territory. Their aim may be to make scientific discoveries or simply to enjoy the thrill of discovering the unknown. In the past, however, most explorers did not leave home simply to gain new knowledge or see new sights. They were intent on conquest or hoped to find new trade routes, locate fabled treasure cities, or establish settlements where land could be had for the taking. Explorers often discovered places other than what they had hoped to find. Sometimes, like Christopher Columbus, they were mistaken about what they had found.

Six thousand years ago, people knew very little about what lay more than a few days journey from their homes. They grew all of their own food and made anything they needed. They had no need to travel. However, as settlements grew and developed so did the idea of trading with people in distant places. A desire to find new places to trade, or to find better trade routes encouraged exploration.

The late 15th century (1400’s) saw the beginning of a great age of sea exploration. The resolve to find new trading routes to the Spice Islands, India and China in the east sent mariners off in unbelievably small ships to explore unknown oceans. Europeans did not know about America or the people living there. The commanders of these voyages had no sea charts to guide them and only primitive navigational devices. After Columbus’ discovery of the North American continent, there was a race to find a passage around or through North America. The history of New York starts with the Europeans looking for this fabled Northwest Passage.