Question/Problem 2: Describe the reasons for and the outcomes of the European explorers between 1492 and 1673.

Little is known about the life of Henry Hudson before he became an explorer during the period between 1607 and 1611. He and his wife Katherine had three sons, one of whom sailed with him as he searched for a western route to Asia. Hudson made four voya ges in search of a new route to the Orient, three flying the flag of England and one for the Dutch.

Hudson's first two voyages were financed by the English Muscovy Company. This was a group of English merchants who traded with Moscow. Hudson was hoping to find a northeast passage to China, Japan and the East Indies. He believed that a route could be found by heading for the Arctic Ocean. Both voyages resulted in the Hopewell turning back. Blocked by ice and heavy winds Hudson returned to England and the English merchants grew discouraged with the venture. The Dutch East India Company heard of Hud son's attempts to find a northeast passage and agreed to supply him with a ship, crew, and provisions in order to continue the explorations for a passage to the Orient.

The Half Moon left Holland in 1609 and started northeast. Hudson again found himself blocked by ice north of Russia. The men, many accustomed to a warmer route, began to grumble and threaten to mutiny. Rather than return to Holland and face the mercha nts who paid for the expedition, Hudson reversed his course and crossed the Atlantic to look for the passage to the Indies through America. The ship reached the coast and sailed to what is now Chesapeake Bay, then turned north. On September 11, 1609, th e Half Moon entered the bay now known as New York Harbor. Hudson became the first European to reach this spot since the visit of Verrazano eighty-five years earlier.

Hudson sailed up the river that is today named for him. This journey was the basis for the Dutch claim to the area now known as New York. The land was beautiful and well suited for settlement. Along the way he found the Indians to be very friendly, of ten rowing out to meet him. They brought green tobacco to smoke and beaver and otter skins to trade for beads, knives, and hatchets. Despite this the crew remained mistrustful. At one point they set ashore and drove a group out of their village. Later , a group of Indians in canoes attacked a small boat of sailors as they explored the bay. The farther north Hudson went he realized that this was not the way to the Pacific. He probably went above where the Mohawk River joins the Hudson before turning b ack.

The Half Moon returned to England rather than Holland, and landed in November 1609. He sent an account of his voyage to his employers and requested permission to prepare for another voyage. The Dutch merchants ordered him to return to Holland but Engla nd refused to let him leave the country. They did not want further voyages to benefit Holland. Hudson's fourth trip to sail northwest in search for a passage to the Orient was funded by English merchants. He left in the ship Discovery, April 1610. Du ring this trip Hudson set out for the American Arctic and sailed through the Hudson Strait and into Hudson Bay. Hudson was convinced that this great sea would extend westward to China.

Hudson explored the waters and after several weeks the crew began to protest. They demanded to head for home but Hudson refused. Winter set in and the ship was stranded. When spring came Hudson wanted to resume the search for the westward water route but the crew had suffered enough hardship. They mutinied and took over command of the ship. They set Hudson, his son John, and six supporters adrift in a small boat and left them to die. They were never seen again. The Discovery sailed for home but several crew members died of starvation before they reached England. The surviving members were not punished for their crime. They were the only men who had sailed the sea that was thought to lead to the Indies. They were too valuable to hang.