1.
Amerigo Vespucci: Italian sailor. First to realize Columbus discovered a new continent. America named after him.
2.
Cavalier de la Salle: Claimed the entire Mississippi Valley for France. Named it Louisianna in honor of King Louis XIV.
3.
Elizabeth I: Queen of England, Spain's rival. England became threat to Spain.
4.
Ferdinand and Isabella: Spanish king and queen who sponsored Columbus' expedition.
5.
Ferninand Magellan: 1519. Portuguese sailore made a 3 year voyage around the world.
6.
Francisco Coronado: Searched for lost treasure from Mexico to the north. Led 300 spanish soldiers and captive indians through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma.
7.
Francisco Pizzaro: Conquered the Inca Indians of Peru in1533.
8.
Hernando Cortes: Conquered the Aztec Indians of Mexico between 1519 and 1521.
9.
Hernando de Soto: Discovered the Mississippi. Explored Florida, Georgia, and parts of N. and S. Carolina, and Tennessee.
10.
Jacques Cartier: Discovered the St. Lawrence River in 1534.
11.
Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet: Jesuit missionary and a fur trader explored the central Mississippi River.
12.
Johann Gutenberg: The moveable-type printing press in Europe in 1440. First book he printed was the Bible.
13.
Juan Cabrillo: 1542, explored the coast of California and maybe Oregon.
14.
leif erickson: A viking from Scandinavia landed on shores of N. Amer. in 1000 A.D.
15.
marco polo: Son of Italian merchant. Went to China with father and uncle. First european to travel length of Asia.
16.
Martin Luther: Roman Catholic monk protested false doctrines of church by nailing his NINETY-FIVE THESIS (statements attacking the sale of indulgences) on church door. From Wittenberg Germany.
17.
Montezuma: Aztec chieftain developed an advanced civilization and calandar.
18.
Phillip II: Son of Charles V. Spain became most powerful nation in world.
19.
Ponce de Leon: Conqueror and governor of Puerto Rico. Set out to find the "fountain of youth". Made first spanish landing on mainland of N. Amer.
20.
Prince Henry the Navigator: From Portugal. In 1400's, founded a navigation school and sent ships to explore western coast of Africa.
21.
Samuel de Champlain: "Father of New France" The first french settelment in the new world was in Quebec, Canada.
22.
Sir Franis Drake: Attacked Spanish ships for the goods
23.
Vasco de Balboa: Crossed the Isthmus of Panama and discovered the Pacific Ocean.