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European Explorers and Colonists in America
The Internet is a wonderful source for discovering European explorers and colonists in America. The first Viking settlements may have failed, but once Christopher Columbus landed in the Caribbean Islands, many Europeans began to come to America.
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Insights for European Explorers and Colonists in America
- For many years, it was believed that Columbus was the first European explorer to reach America. We now know that the Vikings were in America quite a bit earlier. Use the Web sites below to compare the Viking and later European experiences in exploring and establishing colonies in America.
- The first explorers and colonists were also the first Europeans to encounter American Indians. For more on the American Indian perspective on these events, see the Web sites listed in our “Native American History” Web Guide.
Top Sites for Euopean Explorers and Colonists in America
For the first explorers to reach America …
Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History presents "Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga," a chronicle of the history of Viking expeditions to North America. An online equivalent of a Smithsonian Museum exhibition, the site includes highlights from the exhibit, maps of Viking exploration and a “Learning Center” with guides for teachers and students.
Library and Archives Canada publishes a collection called “Passages: A Treasure Trove of North American Exploration.” The “Chronological Outline” offers information on European explorers and their American Indian guides. The "Introduction" is a guide to the historical issues and controversies surrounding the question, “Who discovered America?”
The Columbus Navigation Homepage focuses not so much on the details of Columbus’ life, as it does on how he conducted his voyage, including navigation techniques, his relationships with his crew and the Native American people they encountered.
For the early European settlements in America …
13 Originals has details on the first settlements and early history of the original 13 British colonies in America. Each section provides an overview of a particular colony, along with links to colonial charters, constitutions, maps and other sites with more information.
The Plymouth Colony Archive Project is a collection of writings, documents, maps and stories of the lives of the residents of one of the best-known early American colonies. Find images, maps and primary documents within the historical coverage.
Historic Jamestowne charts the history of the Jamestown settlement. The famed story of Captain John Smith and Pocahontas can be traced to this settlement. Get a history of the colony, maps, biographies of the settlers and updates on the latest discoveries.
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