1. European Explorers
FMS - Texas History

2. Christopher Columbus
Sponsored by Spain’s to find a shorter route to China
Landed in Bahamas Oct 12, 1492
Spain sponsored 4 voyages between 1492 – 1504
Lost sponsorship when he began abusing the natives

3. Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda
Led expedition to map coastline of Gulf of Mexico & established Spanish colony in 1519
1st European expedition to observe the Texas coast
Pineda settled near present-day Mexican city of Tampico

4. Moctezuma
Hernan Cortes
Spaniard commissioned by Governor of Cuba to explore N. Amer. continent in 1519
Conquered Emperor Moctezuma
Claimed Mexico for “New” Spain
Renamed Tenochtitlan –Mexico City

5. Panfilo de Narvaez
Granted land of Florida by Spain along with permission to conquer lands between Florida & Mexico
His 400-man expedition capsized in Gulf of Mex. during a storm; 80 survivors beached at Galveston Bay
1st Europeans to set foot in Texas
Assisted by Karankawas upon arrival in Texas

6. Panfilo de Narvaez Expedition

7. Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca
Assisted by Karankawas, survived Narvaez expedition
Natives told him about 7 Cities of Gold (Cibola)
1st Euro. To explore interior of Texas looking for Ciboloa
Went across Tx to Mex. City
Told Spain about Cibola

8. Francisco Vasquez de Coronado
Came to Texas specifically looking for 7 Cities of Gold (Cibola) … never found it
A member of his group (Fernandez) even traveled as far as the Grand Canyon
Saw buffalo and thought they were cows

9. Hernando de Soto
Led 2nd expedition to Texas specifically looking for Cibola
1st European to explore interior of U.S vs. just Florida area to Texas
Never found Cibola

10. Rene-Robert Cavelier Sieur de LaSalle
Claimed Louisiana, to include Miss. River area for France
Established Ft St Louis near present day Corpus Christi
Most of his expedition died from fights w/ Karankawas
His fort was over run by Indians

11. Spanish Explorers
Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda
Hernan Cortes
Panfilo de Narvaez
Cabeza de Vaca
Francisco de Coronado
Hernado de Soto