Explorers in the New WorldChristopher ColumbusPedro CabralPortuguese ExplorationVicente Yß±ez Pinz≤nAmerigo VespucciOther European ExplorersThe Conquistadors
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Other Early European ExplorationAlthough Papal decree and the Treaty of Tordesillas formally divided the world's unclaimed territories between Spain and Portugal, it did not meet the approval of other European countries. England, France, and Holland weren't as strong as Portugal or Spain at that time – but they were also interested in establishing colonies and in gaining access to resources. As word quickly spread about the wonders of the New World, ships began to appear from all over Europe. Notable explorers from other European countries included John Cabot (England, 1497) and Jacques Cartier (France, 1534). The Spaniards and Portuguese did not appreciate this intrusion by other countries, and often attacked any foreign ships that they found in their territory. Because the Spanish and Portuguese were mostly based in the Caribbean, and in Central and South America, the other European countries looked towards North America when establishing their own colonies. The earliest English colonies were in 1583 (Newfoundland) and 1585 (Roanoke Island, North Carolina). The first French colony was established on the St Lawrence River (Canada) in 1599. Advances in ship design by the English (who defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588) meant that other European countries were able to more readily take on the Spaniards in the early 1600s. The English, French, and Dutch all successfully conquered territory from the Spanish in the Northern part of South America known as the Guyanas. The English were also able to start colonies in Central America (Honduras) and captured several islands in the Caribbean. Attempts were made by several European countries to begin colonies on the Amazon, but these were successfully driven off by the Portuguese in the River Wars. The Russians also established a presence in the New World in the 18th and 19th Centuries. However unlike everyone else, the Russians did not cross the Atlantic. The Russian explorers travelled eastwards, originally exploring and colonising Siberia, then crossing over the Bering Strait into Alaska. Russian colonies were eventually established down North America's Pacific coast down as far as the states of Washington and northern California. The United States purchased Alaska from the Russians in 1867.
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