First Steps in a New Land Chapter 4 Section 1 Early Explorers First Steps in a New Land Chapter 4 Section 1

Columbus Sights a New World Lands on a Caribbean island in October 1492 Italian sailing under Spanish flag Spain claims most of S. America, Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, & part of present-day U.S. Columbus returned to Americas 3 times

New Spain Conquistadors – Spanish soldiers seeking Gold and Glory and God Built towns, laid out roads, opened mines, developed farms/ranches Friars – Catholic priests Convert natives to Catholic faith; established missions (religious settlements)

Cortés Lands in Mexico Feb. 1519 – Hernan Cortés sails from Cuba to Mexico with 500 soldiers Aztecs welcomed Cortés because they believed he was a god Tenochtitlán-Aztec capital city with palaces, zoos, gold and silver Spanish imprisoned & killed the Aztec leader,Moctezuma, then tore down capital before they rebuilt and renamed it Mexico City Because of treasures found here, other Spanish are inspired

Álvarez de Pineda Explores Texas 1519 – Alonso Álvarez de Pineda becomes 1st European to explore Texas coast Sailed the coast from Florida to Mexico Stopped at mouth of Río de las Palmas (Rio Grande) Died in 1520 in Native American uprising in Mexico

Shipwrecked in Texas 1527 –Cabeza de Vaca sailed from Florida for glory and gold Shipwrecked on Galveston Island, which he named Malhado, isle of misfortune. Karankawas help out Spanish, but most died from disease and starvation Cabeza de Vaca & Estevanico (Esteban) adopt ways of Karankawas and become shamans Traveled throughout Texas and learned much about the geography In Texas for nearly 6 years

The Spanish Explore Texas Chapter 4 Section 2 Early Explorers The Spanish Explore Texas Chapter 4 Section 2

The Quest for Gold Cabeza de Vaca had heard stories of riches of copper, emeralds, and turquoise Cabeza de Vaca describes his adventure: Huge herds of “cows” with small horns Vast and handsome land Very Fertile Spaniards inspired to send treasure-seeking expeditions

Where did Cabeza de Vaca probably get his ideas about riches in Texas? From Native Americans with whom he had come in contact

Fray Marcos Leads a New Expedition 1539 – Viceroy Mendoza sends Fray Marcos, a priest, to check out Cabeza de Vaca’s stories Estevanico (Esteban) Shipwrecked with Cabeza de Vaca Rode ahead; sent back reports of seven cities of gold and other riches 1st black man to enter Texas (killed by Zuni Indians) Cibola Pueblo in Arizona and New Mexico border Looked golden at sunset

Why did Fray Marcos conclude that there was a Cibola with seven cities of gold? He saw a pueblo at sunset, which made it look golden, and he imagined that there were other such cities.

Coronado Is Disappointed 1540 – Francisco Vazquez de Coronado led an expedition of more than 300 to find Cibola (unfortunately, no gold – just adobe) Met an Indian (Turk) in present-day Santa Fe, New Mexico Turk told of fabulous riches further east in Quivira Cornado and his expedition set out in search of this city Disappointed about not finding riches, Turk is put to death

How would you feel if you were Coronado?

Moscoso Explores East Texas 1539 - Hernan de Soto landed in Florida 1st time European reached Mississippi River Died in 1542 Moscoso takes command and reaches East Texas Explored as far as Brazos River and found no riches so he returned to Mississippi River

How did de Soto and Moscoso reach Texas? By land, probably on horseback

New Mexico is Founded Spanish interest in Texas starts decreasing due to lack of riches 1609 – Spaniards set up permanent colony on upper Rio Grande Explored as far as present-day San Angelo

Why did the Spanish make few attempts to settle the region now known as Texas? They sought gold but found none, so they thought the region was not worth settling.

La Salle Awakens Spanish Interest Chapter 4 Section 3 Early Explorers La Salle Awakens Spanish Interest Chapter 4 Section 3

France Challenges Spanish Claims Rene Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle 1682 – 1st European to navigate Mississippi River Named the land Louisiana in honor of Louis XIV 1684 – led 2nd expedition to the New World Mouth of Mississippi River Blown off course with storm Landed in Matagorda Bay (near present-day Corpus Christi)

French Flags Flies Over Texas Ft. St. Louis is built near Matagorda Bay Troubles: Settlers are overworked, starvation, disease, and conflict with the Native Americans La Salle leaves to explore area La Salle murdered by unhappy follower

Results of La Salle’s Expedition Spanish shifts focus from western Texas to eastern Texas Why? Provided U.S. a reason to claim Texas as part of Louisiana Purchase (1803) Caused arguments between U.S. and Spain for years over borders

Explorers Summary 1492 – Christopher Columbus 1519 – Cortes in Mexico; Pineda maps Texas coast 1528 – Cabeza de Vaca in Texas 1540 – Coronado finds Cibola (no gold) 1541 – Coronado finds Quivira (no gold); De Soto explores Mississippi River 1609 – Spanish establish Santa Fe, New Mexico colony 1685 – La Salle establishes Ft. St. Louis near Matagorda Bay 1687 – Spain shifts focus to eastern Texas