SC History Unit 1: Exploration and Colonization PPT 2- Notes 8- 1.2 II. Europeans in the New World A. Spain 1. Spanish explorers, or conquistadors, led by Christopher Columbus (who was actually an Italian!) claimed large areas of Central and South America. 2. Initially searched for gold 3. Set up encomiendas (large plantations) 1. Used natives to produce wealth 2. Disease and overwork decimated (decreased severely) native populations 3. Imported African slaves to work the encomiendas and mines 4. Established Spanish culture in the area 1. Built cities and universities 2. Complex social class system 3. Government 4. Catholic religion 5. Extended search for gold into North America 1. Settlements in what is now Florida and SC and lands further SW 2. Established missions (religious outposts) along the Pacific coast B. France 1. French explorers were searching for the Northwest Passage (sea route connecting Atlantic and Pacific) 2. Established Montreal and Quebec along the St. Lawrence River, but just a few settled because of the cold climates 3. Established French culture in the area 1. Catholic religion, because French Protestants weren’t allowed to immigrate 2. Traded with natives for furs 4. Explored down the Mississippi River and claimed lands for King Louis XIV; called it Louisiana C. England 1. English explorers claimed lands along the east coast of North America for King James, initially 2. Later established permanent settlements- Virginia and New England 3. Came for gold, but stayed to grow tobacco 4. Established English culture in the area 1. Many settlers came to escape religious persecution and settled in societies based on their shared religious values; many were Protestant religions 2. English language 3. Ideas about self-government D. Race for control of Carolina (present day SC and NC) 1. Spain, France, and England all vied (competed) for a foothold (control) of the area to enrich the mother country 2. Conditions at the settlements and problems in the mother countries led to unsuccessful attempts by Spain and France 1. Spaniard Hernando de Soto traveled through looking for gold, but all his settlements ended up being abandoned 2. Spanish settlement, San Miguel de Gualdape, along the Waccamaw River (now Georgetown) was abandoned in 1520 3. French founded Charlesfort (now Beaufort) but abandoned it in 1560 4. The Spanish tried again and built San Felipe on the site of abandoned Charlesfort, but it was attacked by Native Americans. Survivors fled to St. Augustine, Florida. 3. English win the race and founded Charles Town, which became the first permanent colony in current day South Carolina in 1670 .