John CabotJohn Cabot

By: Ethan WeissBy: Ethan Weiss

Background Background

• Born 1450, in the Born 1450, in the Republic of Genoa.Republic of Genoa.

• Disappeared in 1499. Disappeared in 1499.

• Wife’s name was Wife’s name was Mattea.Mattea.

• His children’s names His children’s names were Ludovico, were Ludovico, Sebastian and Sebastian and Sancto.Sancto.

• John Cabot's religion John Cabot's religion was roman catholic.was roman catholic.

Prior JobsPrior Jobs

• Prior to becoming an explorer, John Cabot Prior to becoming an explorer, John Cabot held many prior jobs:held many prior jobs:

• He was a maritime traderHe was a maritime trader• A house builder in Venice, Italy.A house builder in Venice, Italy.• A civil engineer in Spain, where he worked A civil engineer in Spain, where he worked

on the construction of a stone bridge in on the construction of a stone bridge in Seville but it was never finished.Seville but it was never finished.

• He was involved in his family spice trading He was involved in his family spice trading business at the age of 11.business at the age of 11.

Sponsorship Sponsorship

• King Henry VII King Henry VII granted john Cabot granted john Cabot the right to seek the right to seek islands and islands and countries under the countries under the English flag on English flag on March 5, 1496March 5, 1496

MotivesMotives

• The first to search for a Northwest The first to search for a Northwest passage to Asia. passage to Asia.

• He was also the first to explore the He was also the first to explore the North American mainland since the North American mainland since the Vikings. Vikings.

Dates of Explorations Dates of Explorations 1497 1497

May 2: John Cabot boards his ship, the Matthew, to explore the May 2: John Cabot boards his ship, the Matthew, to explore the lands across the Atlantic, hoping to find a northwest passage lands across the Atlantic, hoping to find a northwest passage to the Indies and China. to the Indies and China.

June 9: John Cabot reaches the New World - at either Cape Breton June 9: John Cabot reaches the New World - at either Cape Breton Island or LabradorIsland or Labrador

June 26: Begins his return voyageJune 26: Begins his return voyage

August 6: John Cabot and his crew of the Matthew land in Bristol, August 6: John Cabot and his crew of the Matthew land in Bristol, England and achieved great fame and glory. England and achieved great fame and glory.

Dates of Explorations (cont.)Dates of Explorations (cont.)14981498

February 3: John Cabot was granted permission go on a second February 3: John Cabot was granted permission go on a second expedition. He assembles a small fleet of 5 ships and 300 menexpedition. He assembles a small fleet of 5 ships and 300 men

July 25: The ships head north and then sail along the east coast of July 25: The ships head north and then sail along the east coast of America past Newfoundland. One of the ships had to go to an Irish America past Newfoundland. One of the ships had to go to an Irish port because of damage. The rest of the four ships continue their port because of damage. The rest of the four ships continue their journey across the Atlantic. He reaches the east coast of journey across the Atlantic. He reaches the east coast of Greenland which he named Labrador's Land.Greenland which he named Labrador's Land.

June 11: The voyage was difficult because of the icebergs and cold. June 11: The voyage was difficult because of the icebergs and cold. The crew refused to proceed farther North, so John Cabot had no The crew refused to proceed farther North, so John Cabot had no alternative but to turn South along the coast of Greenland. alternative but to turn South along the coast of Greenland.

At this point the John Cabot ships sailed for England, he never At this point the John Cabot ships sailed for England, he never returned.returned.

His Ship: The MatthewHis Ship: The Matthew

Route MapRoute Map

Long Term Effects on Long Term Effects on ExplorationExploration

• Making Bristol, England one of the Making Bristol, England one of the most important sea ports between most important sea ports between Europe and North America.Europe and North America.

• The most important long term effect The most important long term effect is the start of the transfer of the is the start of the transfer of the English language to North America. English language to North America.

Map of Bristol, EnglandMap of Bristol, England

A painting of John Cabot in A painting of John Cabot in 17621762

• John Cabot in John Cabot in traditional Venetian traditional Venetian garb by Giustino garb by Giustino Menescardi (1762). Menescardi (1762). A mural painting in A mural painting in the Sala dello Scudo the Sala dello Scudo in the Palazzo in the Palazzo Ducale, Venice, Ducale, Venice, Italy.Italy.