In this Grade 4 lesson from California myWorld Interactive Chapter 2, students learn how Spanish explorers including Hernán Cortés and Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo first explored California's coast in the 1500s and why Spain sent expeditions northward from New Spain. Students examine key vocabulary such as viceroy, expedition, galleon, and circumnavigate while tracing Cabrillo's 1542 voyage along Alta California and his encounters with California Indian peoples like the Chumash.
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
Cabrillo Reaches Alta California
After exploring Baja California, Spain sent an explorer to sail farther north. The Spanish hoped to find riches or a sea route to Asia.
Cabrillo led this expedition, sailing into harbors like San Diego Bay. During the journey, his crew made first contact with many Native Californian groups. He claimed the land for Spain, even though people had already lived there for thousands of years.
Section 3
England Challenges Spain in California
Spain and England became rivals. Spain was growing rich from its colonies in the Americas, and England wanted to challenge its power and wealth.
An English explorer, Sir Francis Drake, sailed to the Pacific to attack Spanish treasure ships. He was a privateer, a sailor who had his queen's permission to raid enemy ships. In 1579, Drake landed in northern California to repair his ship. He claimed the area for England and named it Nova Albion, or "New England." This English claim on the coast worried Spain.
Section 4
Spain Maps California for Trade Ships
After starting a trade route across the Pacific Ocean, Spain needed safe harbors in California. Huge trading ships called Manila Galleons carried valuable goods from the Philippines to Mexico.
To solve the problem of long journeys without stops, Spain sent explorers to map the coastline. In 1602, an explorer named Sebastián Vizcaíno mapped the California coast in detail. Vizcaíno gave names to many places, including San Diego Bay and Monterey Bay, recommending the latter as a perfect stopping point.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter
Expand to review the lesson summary and core properties.
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
Cabrillo Reaches Alta California
After exploring Baja California, Spain sent an explorer to sail farther north. The Spanish hoped to find riches or a sea route to Asia.
Cabrillo led this expedition, sailing into harbors like San Diego Bay. During the journey, his crew made first contact with many Native Californian groups. He claimed the land for Spain, even though people had already lived there for thousands of years.
Section 3
England Challenges Spain in California
Spain and England became rivals. Spain was growing rich from its colonies in the Americas, and England wanted to challenge its power and wealth.
An English explorer, Sir Francis Drake, sailed to the Pacific to attack Spanish treasure ships. He was a privateer, a sailor who had his queen's permission to raid enemy ships. In 1579, Drake landed in northern California to repair his ship. He claimed the area for England and named it Nova Albion, or "New England." This English claim on the coast worried Spain.
Section 4
Spain Maps California for Trade Ships
After starting a trade route across the Pacific Ocean, Spain needed safe harbors in California. Huge trading ships called Manila Galleons carried valuable goods from the Philippines to Mexico.
To solve the problem of long journeys without stops, Spain sent explorers to map the coastline. In 1602, an explorer named Sebastián Vizcaíno mapped the California coast in detail. Vizcaíno gave names to many places, including San Diego Bay and Monterey Bay, recommending the latter as a perfect stopping point.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter