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)

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.

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.

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

 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

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.

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

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

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 ( )

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 ; 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

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 ( )

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 ( ) Hernan de Soto

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)