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

2. 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

3. 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)

4. Cortés Lands in Mexico
Feb – 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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

13. How would you feel if you were Coronado?

14. Moscoso Explores East Texas
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

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

16. 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

17. 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.

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

19. 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)

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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