In this Grade 4 lesson from Social Studies Alive! California's Promise, students learn about the first European expeditions to California, including Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo's 1542 sea voyage and Francis Drake's search for the Northwest Passage. Students explore key vocabulary such as expedition, colony, peninsula, mission, presidio, and pueblo while examining how Spanish and English explorers claimed land and how their arrival affected California's coastal Indian peoples.
Section 1
Early Spanish Motivations for Exploration
In the 1500s, Spain was a powerful country that wanted to find more gold and silver, and a faster route to Asia. To find these things, Spain sent explorers north.
In 1542, Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo led an expedition up the coast. He became the first European to explore Alta California. Although Cabrillo did not find gold or a shortcut to Asia, his voyage gave Spain its first claim to the land.
Section 2
Nations Race for a Shortcut to Asia
Other European countries also wanted a faster way to trade with Asia. They dreamed of finding a secret water route through North America called the Northwest Passage.
England joined the race, which worried Spain. In 1579, the English explorer Francis Drake sailed to California. He claimed the land for England, calling it Nova Albion.
Section 3
Why Spain Settled Alta California
For over 200 years after Cabrillo, Spain explored the coast but left it mostly empty. But by the late 1700s, Spain grew worried that Russian fur traders or the British would take over California.
To protect its land, Spain decided to build settlements. In 1769, an expedition led by Gaspar de Portolá and Father Junípero Serra traveled north. In San Diego, Father Serra established the first mission in Alta California. This marked the beginning of permanent Spanish settlement.
Section 4
Missions, Presidios, and Pueblos
To officially settle and secure Alta California, Spain developed a system with three parts.
Spanish priests started missions to teach Native Americans Christianity. Soldiers lived in nearby forts called presidios to protect the missions.
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Section 1
Early Spanish Motivations for Exploration
In the 1500s, Spain was a powerful country that wanted to find more gold and silver, and a faster route to Asia. To find these things, Spain sent explorers north.
In 1542, Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo led an expedition up the coast. He became the first European to explore Alta California. Although Cabrillo did not find gold or a shortcut to Asia, his voyage gave Spain its first claim to the land.
Section 2
Nations Race for a Shortcut to Asia
Other European countries also wanted a faster way to trade with Asia. They dreamed of finding a secret water route through North America called the Northwest Passage.
England joined the race, which worried Spain. In 1579, the English explorer Francis Drake sailed to California. He claimed the land for England, calling it Nova Albion.
Section 3
Why Spain Settled Alta California
For over 200 years after Cabrillo, Spain explored the coast but left it mostly empty. But by the late 1700s, Spain grew worried that Russian fur traders or the British would take over California.
To protect its land, Spain decided to build settlements. In 1769, an expedition led by Gaspar de Portolá and Father Junípero Serra traveled north. In San Diego, Father Serra established the first mission in Alta California. This marked the beginning of permanent Spanish settlement.
Section 4
Missions, Presidios, and Pueblos
To officially settle and secure Alta California, Spain developed a system with three parts.
Spanish priests started missions to teach Native Americans Christianity. Soldiers lived in nearby forts called presidios to protect the missions.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter