Spanish Exploration A look into the world of Exploration!

Christopher Columbus 1492, Columbus sails the ocean blue Spain approves his voyage to discover a westward route to Asia He and his crew land in Hispanola (The Bahamas) Called Native Americans “Indios” meaning Indians

Spain establishes colonies Conquistadors were searching for a wealthy land Reasons for exploration –Wealth (Gold) –land = power (Glory) –Spread the Christian faith (God) 1519, Pineda and his crew were the first Europeans to explore the Texas coastline Threatened by Hernando Cortes –establishes the city of Tampico

Hernando Cortes Searching for a rumored wealthy civilization He founded the city of Veracruz Aztec Empire –Capitol – Tenochtitlan –Emperor Montezuma believed Cortes to be the legendary God, Quetzalcoatl Battles –Aztecs were trying to be friendly; Cortes not after friendship –Cortes’ men took over the Aztec gold and silver –Named the new capitol, Mexico City

Panfilo de Narvaez Was granted the land of Florida Expedition –400 men and 82 horses were led ashore into present day Florida Plan –travel overland and meet his ships to get more supplies –when they reached the meeting place, no ships –Built 5 rafts to sail to Mexico –November 1528, a hurricane hits Narvaez drowned 80 survivors went ashore in Galveston First known Europeans to set foot in Texas –Karanakawas felt bad for them; gave them food –the Karankawas began dying of small pox and influenza

Cabeza de Vaca De Vaca was a survivor of the Narvaez Expedition Estavanico – An African who also survived Karankawa teachings –De Vaca learned herbal remedies for the sick –began to perform surgeries –this knowledge helped keep peace between Europeans and Natives First Europeans to explore the interior of Texas Seven Cities of Gold –City of Cibola – an entire city made of gold –Estavanico was sent to find this city –He sent back a large white cross – meant that they had seen the gold –Estavanico was killed by the Zuni natives in Arizona –There was no city of gold saw the shiny roofs of the adobe homes when the sun hit them just right

Francisco Vasquez de Coronado 1540 – went to search for the 7 Cities of Cibola Traveled west to present day New Mexico Were the first Europeans to see the Grand Canyon! Searched for a city called “Quivira” First encounter of the buffalo. Thought to have been a type of cow. Failed mission: never found riches or wealth.

Hernando de Soto 1539 – left Spain to search for the Cities of Cibola Explored parts of present day: –Georgia –North & South Carolina –Tennessee –Alabama –Mississippi –Arkansas 1541 – reached Mississippi River! 1542 – ran out of supplies and headed back home De Soto became ill and died 1543 – only 311 of the original 600 made it back to Spain alive. First major expedition to explore the interior of North America

French Exploration

Rene-Robert LaSalle Reached the mouth of the Mississippi on April 9, Named the territory “La Louisiane” or Louisiana, in honor of the french King. Tried to establish a colony on the Texas/Louisiana border. –Fort St. Louis Colony failed due to lack of supplies and drought LaSalle was killed by his own men.