1. Spanish Explorers
By John Eichmann

2. Amerigo Vespucci
1500s – Italian who visited the northern coast of South America

3. Ferdinand Magellan
1518 – First European to head exploration that circumnavigated the globe;
Died during the journey in what is now the Philippines.

4. Juan Sebastian El Cano
1522 – Assumed command of Magellan’s voyage and finished his journey

5. Hernando Cortes
1519- Defeated the Aztec empire and created Spanish settlements in what is now Mexico

6. Francisco Pizarro
1531 – Conquered the Incan empire and created Spanish settlements in what in South America

7. Ponce de Leon
1513 -Explored region of what is today the state of Florida

8. Coronado
1528- Explored what is today the American southwest and claimed it for Spain

9. Vasco Nunez de Balboa
1513– The governor of Spanish settlement that is now the Republic of Panama

10. Pedro de Mendoza
1536 – Founded the city of Buenos Aires in what is now Argentina

11. Alvarez de Pineda
1519- Explored the coast of what is now Texas

12. Hernando de Soto
Crossed the Mississippi River in North America

13. Successes of Spain
Invented the galleon, the most modern ship for that time
Gained naval control of the Atlantic Ocean
Succeeded Portugal as the largest empire of the world.

14. Failures of Spain Extended slavery in the Americas
Became dependent on wealth and did not improve life in Spain
Empire too big to manage, causing regions to become independent