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GED Social Studies: European Exploration in US History with GED Practice Tests

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As you go through this text, we have provided the meaning of key vocabulary words highlighted in the text and also you will find some GED Social Studies practice questions and their solutions after the text. You can check our YouTube Channel for more GED Resources.- https://www.youtube.com/@DTWTESTPREP

Source; https://www.britannica.com/biography/Christopher-Columbus

TEXT

Embarking on a voyage through the annals of US history, we uncover the remarkable saga of European exploration in the Americas. From the intrepid Viking expeditions to the enduring legacies of Spanish conquistadors and the nuanced ventures of French and English navigators, each chapter unveils a tapestry of cultural exchange and conquest that reshaped the course of human civilization.

Our odyssey begins in the early 11th century when Norse seafarers, led by the indomitable Leif Ericson, set foot on the shores of what is now Newfoundland. Their fleeting settlement, though short-lived, heralded the dawn of European presence in the New World.

Fast forward to the 15th century, where the relentless quest for a westward passage to Asia spurred Christopher Columbus’s historic voyage under the patronage of the Spanish monarchy. In 1492, he stumbled upon the Caribbean islands, misconstruing them as the fabled Indies, thus christening the indigenous peoples as “Indians.” Columbus’s subsequent voyages paved the way for further European incursions into the Americas.

Amidst the fervor for riches and glory, Spanish conquistadors like Juan Ponce de Leon and Hernando de Soto traversed the uncharted territories of present-day Florida and the Southeast, driven by the allure of gold and territorial expansion. Meanwhile, the intrepid Francisco Vasquez de Coronado ventured into the American Southwest, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape.

Not to be outdone, other European powers joined the race for dominance in the New World. John Cabot, sponsored by England, charted the northern reaches of Canada, while Giovanni da Verrazano, in the service of France, navigated the Atlantic coastline, becoming the first European to set foot in New York Bay. Samuel de Champlain’s establishment of Quebec in 1608 marked the dawn of French presence in Canada, while Henry Hudson’s explorations laid the groundwork for Dutch colonization in present-day New York.

The repercussions of these expeditions reverberate through time, shaping the cultural mosaic of the Americas. European settlements burgeoned, intertwining languages, customs, and culinary traditions with indigenous cultures. The fusion of Old World and New World influences birthed a rich tapestry of diversity that endures to this day.

As we traverse the footsteps of these intrepid explorers, we unearth not only the conquests and conflicts but also the enduring legacies of exploration that have shaped the course of human history. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of discovery and the indomitable curiosity that propels humanity ever onward towards new horizons.

Key vocabularies from the text along with their meanings:

  1. Exploration: The act of traveling to unfamiliar places in search of discovery or adventure.
  2. Expedition: A journey undertaken for a specific purpose, often involving exploration or scientific research.
  3. Settlement: A community or group of people living in a particular area, typically with shared culture and governance.
  4. Conquistador: Spanish for “conqueror,” referring to the Spanish soldiers, explorers, and adventurers who conquered territories in the Americas, especially in the 16th century.
  5. Patronage: Support, especially financial support or sponsorship, provided by a patron or benefactor.
  6. Indigenous: Native to a particular region or environment, often referring to the original inhabitants of a land prior to colonization.
  7. Tapestry: A metaphorical term referring to a complex or intricate combination of elements or factors.
  8. Territorial expansion: The process of a country or empire extending its boundaries or control over new territories.
  9. Colonization: The establishment of settlements or colonies by a country or group of people in a foreign land.
  10. Cultural exchange: The sharing and blending of cultural elements, such as language, customs, beliefs, and practices, between different societies or groups.
  11. Legacy: Something handed down from the past, such as a tradition, belief, or cultural practice, that continues to have influence or importance in the present.
  12. Diversity: The presence of a variety of different cultures, ethnicities, languages, and backgrounds within a society or group.
  13. Curiosity: A strong desire to know or learn something, often driving exploration, discovery, and innovation.

Understanding these terms will enrich your comprehension of the historical narrative and the broader context of European exploration in the Americas.

PRACTICE QUESTIONS;

  1. Who was the Italian explorer commissioned by the Spanish monarchy to seek a westward route to Asia? A) Leif Ericson B) Juan Ponce de Leon C) Christopher Columbus D) Francisco Vasquez de Coronado
  2. Which European explorer was the first to establish a permanent French settlement in Canada? A) John Cabot B) Giovanni da Verrazano C) Samuel de Champlain D) Henry Hudson
  3. Who was the first European to sight the mouth of the Amazon River? A) Francisco Vasquez de Coronado B) Christopher Columbus C) Amerigo Vespucci D) Hernando de Soto
  4. Which European explorer sailed up what is now called the Hudson River in New York? A) Giovanni da Verrazano B) Samuel de Champlain C) Henry Hudson D) John Cabot
  5. What was the primary motivation for Spanish explorers like Juan Ponce de Leon and Hernando de Soto to venture into North America? A) Religious conversion B) Territorial expansion C) Trade with Asia D) Search for gold

October 11. The sea was smooth, the wind favorable, and the weather fair. All these were signs that they were close to land. But Columbus did not want to reveal this information to his crew, fearing that they would become anxious or mutinous. Instead, he kept a careful eye on the horizon, scanning for any signs of land.

As the day progressed, Columbus noticed an increased presence of birds, flying low over the water. He observed flocks of seabirds, such as gulls and terns, swooping and diving into the waves. This was a promising indication, as birds often congregate near land in search of food.

Later in the afternoon, the crew spotted pieces of driftwood and branches floating in the water. Columbus ordered the crew to retrieve some of these pieces, examining them closely for any signs of land vegetation. Sure enough, they found small twigs and leaves clinging to the wood, indicating that they were nearing a shoreline.

As evening approached, the air was filled with anticipation and excitement among the crew. Columbus climbed to the top of the crow’s nest, his eyes straining to catch a glimpse of land in the fading light. Suddenly, a lookout cried out, pointing to a faint silhouette on the horizon. Columbus’s heart raced as he realized that they had finally reached their destination. (Christopher Columbus’s diary of his voyage in 1492)

6. Indicate an X next to the statements that helped Columbus anticipate their proximity to land.

_____ The sea was smooth, the wind favorable, and the weather fair.

_____ Columbus revealed the information about their proximity to land to his crew.

_____ Columbus observed an increased presence of birds flying low over the water.

_____ Pieces of driftwood and branches were spotted floating in the water.

7. What inference can be made about Columbus’s decision to keep the information about their proximity to land from his crew?

A. Columbus wanted to maintain a sense of mystery and adventure.

B. Columbus feared that his crew would become anxious or mutinous.

C. Columbus did not trust his crew with sensitive information.

D. Columbus wanted to surprise his crew with the discovery of land.

8. Which of the following lines from the passage suggests Columbus’s anticipation and excitement as they neared land?

A. “The sea was smooth, the wind favorable, and the weather fair.”

B. “Columbus ordered the crew to retrieve some pieces of driftwood…”

C. “As evening approached, the air was filled with anticipation and excitement among the crew.”

D. “Sure enough, they found small twigs and leaves clinging to the wood…”

Solutions

1. Option C) Christopher Columbus. He embarked on a series of voyages under the patronage of the Spanish monarchs, seeking a faster route to Asia.

2. Option C) Samuel de Champlain. In 1608, he founded Quebec, the first permanent French settlement in Canada, establishing a significant French presence in North America.

3. Option C) Amerigo Vespucci. He sighted the mouth of the Amazon River during his explorations, and the continents of North and South America were later named after him.

4. Option C) Henry Hudson. He explored the river that now bears his name in 1609, laying the groundwork for Dutch colonization in the region.

5. Option D) Search for gold. Spanish explorers were driven by the desire to discover new sources of wealth, particularly gold, in the uncharted territories of the Americas.

6. Indicate an X next to the statements that helped Columbus anticipate their proximity to land.

✓ _____ The sea was smooth, the wind favorable, and the weather fair.

_____ Columbus revealed the information about their proximity to land to his crew.

✓ _____ Columbus observed an increased presence of birds flying low over the water.

✓ _____ Pieces of driftwood and branches were spotted floating in the water.

7. What inference can be made about Columbus’s decision to keep the information about their proximity to land from his crew?

B. Columbus feared that his crew would become anxious or mutinous. (Correct)

8. Which of the following lines from the passage suggests Columbus’s anticipation and excitement as they neared land?

C. “As evening approached, the air was filled with anticipation and excitement among the crew.” (Correct)

Closure;


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