1. Explorer: Columbus (1492) Known for: Disovering West Indies/Hispanola Why in Texas? He wasn’t! He was trying to reach India/China. Impact of Expedition: Failure – he didn’t discover a faster route to India Success – he opened up the “New World” to Europe Impact on Texas: Started Spanish exploration in North America (Texas)

2. Columbus & The New World  Columbus sailed the Atlantic Ocean blue in 1492; he was Italian, sailing for Spain.  He sailed west to get to the east.  He didn’t find riches, but did find raw materials (products and goods) to send back to Europe; and brought goods from Europe to the natives – the Columbian Exchange.

3. Columbus & The New World All 4 of his trips gave Spain claim to land in the Western Hemisphere. Result? The Spanish established an empire called New Spain. New Spain using conquistadores and friars to conquer natives.

4. Conquistadores  Conquistadores (Spanish soldiers), sought riches and power for themselves, and wealth and glory for Spain.

5.  Reasons for Exploration: 3 G’s (1) Gold – riches in New World; Spanish wanted to increase global wealth (2) Glory – men could become wealthy and famous; expand nation’s power (3) God – Catholic Church to convert natives and increase wealth of church

6. Conquistadores Hundreds of Conquistadores were able to conquer thousands of natives. How? 1. Superior weapons:  Guns  Cannons  Metal Swords 2. The Spanish had horses. 3. Some natives believed the Spaniards were gods. 4. Disease: The natives had a weaker immune system. Measles, mumps, flu, or just a regular cold could make the natives very ill. Result? Thousands died and their empires rapidly declined and grew smaller.

7. Explorer: Pineda (1519) Known for: 1 st European to explore and map the Texas coast Why in Texas? Was exploring the coast from Florida to Mexico Impact of Expedition: Success: Reported his findings in Texas to the governor of Jamaica and returned to Mexico to begin a settlement Impact on Texas: More explorers began coming to Texas

8. Explorer: Cortes (1521) Known for Mexico/Aztecs Why in Texas? He wasn’t! BUT his purpose for exploring was to get GOLD, GLORY and GOD for Spain Impact of Expedition: Success - conquered the Aztecs and became the first “governor” of New Spain (Mexico); renamed Aztec capital to “Mexico City” Impact on Texas: Inspired others to explore more territory in North America

9. Known for: SHIPWRECK; Writings about Texas Why in Texas?It was an accident… shipwrecked near Galveston; captured by Karankawas Impact ofFailure – no GOLD, no GLORY… but he did… Expeditionmeet the Karwankawas, Texas’ 1 st explorer, 1 st surgeon, 1 st author with book Relacion Impact on TexasTold tales of cities of gold – led to more exploration Explorer: Cabeza de Vaca (1528-1536)

10. Famous Spanish Explorers  Cabeza de Vaca – survived shipwreck in Galveston and became the first European to enter Texas; he lived with the Karankawas for 6 years from 1528-1534; later journeyed west toward Mexico and recorded stories of his travels seeing buffalo and fertile land; and possible gold and riches.  Estevanico – survivor with de Vaca; first black man to enter Texas; studied geography of Texas and later became a guide for Spanish explorers

11. Known for Exploring the Panhandle Why in Texas?Looking for the 7 cities of gold (Quiviera & Cibola) Impact ofFailure – No gold, no settlements ; Expeditioncrossed the “Sea of Grass” (TX Panhandle) Impact on TexasTold about buffalo, villages, and available land in the Panhandle Explorer: Coronado (1540-1542)

12. Known for : Exploring East Texas Why in Texas? Hernan de Soto was looking for GOLD, when he died, Moscoso took over and took the expedition to East TX Impact of Expedition: Failure. They found no gold. However, they did find “black gold”. Impact on Texas: 1 st European in East Texas Explorer: Moscoso (1542-1543) Hernan de Soto

13. Known for : Exploring Rio Grande Valley and New Mexico Why in Texas? To explore and create settlements in “El Paso del Norte” (Rio Grande passage between 2 mountain ranges) Impact of Expedition: Success. Claimed the entire Rio Grande Valley for Spain and found settlements all throughout present day New Mexico Impact on Texas: Inspired many expeditions in West Texas Explorer: Onate (1598)