1. First Steps in a New Land
Early Explorers
First Steps in a New Land

2. Columbus Sights a New World
Lands Caribbean island 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 for themselves
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 1519 – Hernan Cortés sails from Cuba to Mexico with 500 soldiers
Aztecs welcomed Cortés – believed he was a god (Quetzalcoatl)
Aztec capital city (Tenochtitlán) – palaces, zoos, gold, silver
Spanish imprisoned & killed Aztec leader (Moctezuma) then torn down capital and took treasures – rebuilt and renamed Mexico City
Because of treasures, other Spanish are inspired

5. Álvarez de Pineda Explores Texas
1519 – Alonso Álvarez de Pineda becomes 1st European to explore Texas coast
Sailed 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 – Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca sailed from Florida for glory and gold
Shipwrecked on Galveston Island (Malhado – isle of misfortune)
Karankawas help out but most Spanish died from disease and exposure to elements
Cabeza de Vaca & Estevanico (1st black man in Tex.) adopt ways of Karankawas and become shamans
Traveled throughout Texas and learned much about surrounding geography
In Texas for nearly 6 years

7. The Spanish Explore Texas
Early Explorers
The Spanish Explore Texas

8. The Quest for Gold
Cabeza de Vaca had heard stories of riches of copper, emeralds, and turquoise
Cabeza de Vaca describes 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 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 in 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 (no gold – just adobe)
Met Pawnee Indian (Turk) in present-day Santa Fe, New Mexico
Turk told of fabulous riches further east in Quivira
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
Died in 1542
Moscoso takes command – reaches East Texas
Explored as far as Brazos River – found no riches – returned to Mississippi River

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

16. New Mexico is Founded
Interest in Texas decreasing due to lack of riches
1609 – Spaniards set up permanent colony on upper Rio Grande (no gold)
Explored as far as present-day San Angelo

17. Lady in Blue Maria de Jesus de Agreda Spanish nun
Claimed to visited Texas over 500 times ( )
Never left Spain
Indians told stories of being taught by a “Lady in Blue”

18. 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.

19. La Salle Awakens Spanish Interest
Early Explorers
La Salle Awakens Spanish Interest

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

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

22. Results of La Salle’s Expedition
Spanish shifts focus from western Texas to eastern Texas
Extensive exploration in northern Gulf Coast shore
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

23. Causes/Effects of Spanish Settlement of Texas
Spanish explorers hope to find riches in Texas
Spanish priests want to spread Christianity
Spain feels threatened by growing presence of French in Texas
Effects
Spanish interest in Texas is renewed
Spain makes strong effort to establish colonies and force out French

24. 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