What problems did early explorers face?

Answer 1

Three difficulties faced by the Europeans during the early stages of the new world settlement were:

1. Resistance from the Amerindians Lack of

2. Supplies

3. Food and Natural Disasters.

The Europeans could not understand the resistance of the Amerindians. They felt that their culture and weapons were superior to that of the Amerindians and so they felt justified in their use of force against them. The Europeans forced the Amerindians to labour for them, they raped their women and the animals they brought to the islands destroyed the natives food crops. These injustices caused some of the natives to flee into the mountains, commit suicide and infanticide and to burn the European food supplies. The Kalinagoes were being pushed out of their islands and so they fought back fiercely.

The Europeans lacked supplies and food and had to abandon their European diet as most of the food items could not be imported from Europe. Thejr supply ships did not come to the Caribbean regularly. The natives also did not plant enough food crops.

Lastly, they had to face natural disasters, They had to endure hurricanes, insect pests, tropical disease and drought.

Answer 2

1. Food & safe drinking water; whether they were explorers on land or sea.

2. Disease: mostly cholera & dysentery which is usually caused by number 1 above.

3. The unknown (not knowing where they were going); but conversely was the reason for their being (the purpose of exploring).

4. No maps or not good maps.

5. No modern medical support (for Viper (snake) bites, blood poisoning, etc.) men had to be repaired on the spot with common sense or experimental treatment. If it worked, good; if it didn't, they were buried where they lay.

Just a very few of the problems faced by explorers.

Answer 3

Pirates, disease, no food