European Explorers

Gold: The Spanish wanted to find more gold. They wanted to be rich.

God: The Spanish wanted the natives to believe in God and they wanted them to become Christians.

Glory - They wanted to be famous and make Spain famous too.

The Spanish explored areas in the south.

They conquered lands in Mexico, defeating the Aztecs and Incas.

They conquered southern lands such as present-day Florida, California, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Cuba, Bahamas, and South America.

Friends: They wanted to make friends with the Native Americans. They traveled back and forth to trade.

Fur: They wanted beaver fur. They wanted to wear what rich people in Paris were wearing.

Fish: They caught fish to send back to France so they could get more money.

The country of France sent explorers to the north.

French explorers claimed lands in the middle of what is now the United states and parts of Canada.

Religion: Escape religious persecution. They wanted to practice religion in their own way.

Money: They wanted more money and power for England and themselves.

England claimed land along the Atlantic (east) coast of present-day United States and parts of Canada.