Where's the Gold?

When Columbus sails off on his first voyage, he is looking to profit by pioneering (and then controlling) a new route to the wildly profitable trade with India. He returns home with promises of gold, but little else.

Despite this disappointment, the Spanish colonies he helps establish are soon sending home gold and silver. Lots of it. By the 1600s, Spain is sending yearly treasure fleets back from their colonies with 30 to 90 ships, each.

In the meantime, the English, French, Dutch and Portuguese are busy exploring every inch of the North American coast. Instead of gold, they find plenty of Indians, who hamper exploration efforts further inland.
Age of exploration, 1500s map

  Looking Everywhere
The lines above mark the routes of voyages which explore America during the 1500s, from top to bottom. Most are in search of gold, such as the Spanish have already discovered in Mexico and South America. In the far north, the English and Dutch are exploring more northerly routes, looking for a 'Northwest Passage' to India. They never find it.

Spanish exploration, 1500s map

  Spanish Brutality
Of all the countries exploring the Americas, Spain is the most aggressive. It launches full-scale military expeditions, with cannons, cavalry and lots of armor. Calling themselves 'Conquistadors,' the Spanish are intent upon conquest, not mere exploration. The expeditions to Mexico and Peru result in the complete destruction of the Aztec, Maya and Inca civilizations, with incredible brutality (lower left). The Spaniards make slaves of the native people, forcing them to work the gold and silver mines.


English exploration, 1500s map

  No Gold for the English
The English send a couple of expeditions to explore the American coast, but find no gold. The coastal areas provide excellent fishing, but that isn't enough to justify the cost of trying to establish colonies. Instead, the English turn their attention to finding a northern route to the great riches of China. This means sailing west from Greenland, and picking a way through the ice. The English send repeated expeditions to this area, some with large fleets, but never succeed in finding the elusive Northwest Passage.