The Search for the Discoverer
When we think of the discovery of America, we usually think of Christopher Columbus, the Italian explorer who sailed under the Spanish flag. However, Columbus was not the only European to set foot in the New World in the 15th and 16th centuries. In fact, there were several other explorers who reached North America, including those who sailed on behalf of England. The question is, which one of them can be credited with the discovery of America?
John Cabot: The First Contender
John Cabot, also known as Giovanni Caboto, was an Italian explorer who sailed under the English flag in 1497. He is often considered the first European to have set foot in North America since the Vikings. Cabot’s voyage was sponsored by King Henry VII, who hoped to find a new route to Asia. Cabot sailed westward across the Atlantic and landed somewhere on the east coast of North America, possibly in Newfoundland or Labrador. He claimed the land for England and returned to Bristol, where he was hailed as a hero. However, Cabot’s voyage was not well-documented, and there is some debate over exactly where he landed and what he saw.
Sebastian Cabot: A Father’s Legacy
Sebastian Cabot was the son of John Cabot and the heir to his father’s legacy. Sebastian was also an explorer and navigator, and he made several voyages to the Americas in the early 16th century. In 1512, he sailed up the Rio de la Plata in South America and claimed the territory for Spain. However, Sebastian also made at least one voyage to North America, possibly in 1508 or 1517. The details of this voyage are unclear, but it is believed that Sebastian explored the coast from Newfoundland to Virginia. Some historians believe that Sebastian Cabot was the true discoverer of America, but there is not enough evidence to support this claim.
Martin Frobisher: A Search for Riches
Martin Frobisher was an English explorer who made three voyages to the Arctic in the 1570s. He was in search of a northwest passage to Asia, but he also hoped to find gold and other riches. On his third voyage, Frobisher landed on Baffin Island in Canada and claimed the land for England. He also brought back some rocks that he believed contained gold, but they turned out to be worthless. Despite his disappointment, Frobisher’s voyages helped to establish England’s claim to the North American continent.
Francis Drake: Circumnavigator and Raider
Francis Drake was one of the most famous English explorers of the 16th century. He circumnavigated the globe from 1577 to 1580 and became the first Englishman to sail around the world. Drake also raided Spanish settlements in the Americas and claimed California for England. However, Drake did not explore much of North America, and his voyages were more focused on piracy and raiding than on discovery.
Walter Raleigh: The Courtier’s Ambition
Walter Raleigh was a courtier and adventurer who made several voyages to the Americas in the late 16th century. He sponsored several colonies in Virginia, including the famous Roanoke colony, which disappeared without a trace. Raleigh also explored the Orinoco River in South America and claimed the territory for England. However, Raleigh’s expeditions were mostly focused on colonization and exploitation, rather than discovery.
Bartholomew Gosnold: The Forgotten Scout
Bartholomew Gosnold was an English explorer who made one voyage to the Americas in 1602. He sailed to the coast of Maine and Massachusetts and explored the region, discovering Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod. Gosnold also established a short-lived colony on Cuttyhunk Island. Despite his achievements, Gosnold is often overlooked in the history of English exploration, and his name is not as well-known as those of other explorers.
Humphrey Gilbert: The Lost Colonizer
Humphrey Gilbert was an English explorer who made several voyages to the Americas in the late 16th century. He attempted to establish a colony in Newfoundland in 1583, but the colony failed. Gilbert also explored the coast of Maine and claimed the territory for England. However, he was lost at sea on his return voyage to England in 1583, and his dream of establishing an English colony in the New World died with him.
Thomas Harriot: The Scientific Observer
Thomas Harriot was an English mathematician and astronomer who accompanied Sir Walter Raleigh on his expeditions to the Americas. Harriot made detailed observations of the flora, fauna, and Native American cultures he encountered, and he produced some of the first maps of the region. Harriot also made significant contributions to the fields of mathematics and astronomy, and he was the first person to use a telescope for astronomical observations.
Conclusion: Who Really Discovered America?
Despite the efforts of these and other explorers, the question of who really discovered America on behalf of England remains unanswered. Each of these explorers made significant contributions to the exploration and colonization of North America, but none of them can be credited with the discovery of the continent. The true history of America’s discovery is much more complex and multifaceted than a single individual or nation can claim.
The Impact of English Exploration on America
Despite the lack of a single discoverer, English exploration had a significant impact on the history of North America. English explorers established colonies and trading posts, mapped the coastlines, and made contact with Native American cultures. They also brought with them diseases, weapons, and other technologies that had a profound impact on the indigenous populations. English exploration helped to establish the foundation of what would become the United States, and it continues to shape the country’s culture and identity to this day.
The Legacy of English Exploration Today
The legacy of English exploration can still be seen in many parts of North America today. Place names, such as Virginia, Plymouth, and Newfoundland, reflect the English presence in the region. English language and culture continue to dominate much of the continent, and the legal and political systems of the United States are based on English models. The impact of English exploration on America is a testament to the enduring legacy of exploration and discovery, and it serves as a reminder of the many contributions made by all of the explorers who ventured into the unknown.
