1. France, England, and Spain Come to the New World
European Exploration
France, England, and Spain Come to the New World

2. The Big Three
After Columbus “discovered” America – the race for power began
In Europe – England, France, and Spain were in a power struggle
To be the winner – each country explored the New World hoping to claim the land and all the power that went with it
France
England
Spain

3. The Search for Gold, God, and Glory
For centuries the “Big Three” had fought over land in Europe
All these wars cost money and after Columbus, the kings of Europe realized they could have more land and all the riches that came with it
So they began sending explorers across the ocean in hopes that they would return with fortunes in gold, silver, and other precious stones and metals

4. The Search for Gold, God, and Glory
Once the reports started to reach Europe of the “heathens” that inhabited the land, religious leaders became involved in the attempt to settle the New World
They sent over priests to educate the Native Americans about God and to save their souls
This would eventually lead to the Spanish Mission System that was used to settle Texas

5. The Search for Gold, God, and Glory
Most of the men who led to expeditions across Europe came from poor families or no family at all
They were searching for a better life
If they were successful in their voyages they would bring honor and glory home to their countries and would forever be remembered as the men who helped build an empire

6. The Conquistadors
Spanish Explorers at this time are called Conquistadors which means conquerors.
They were looking for glory, gold, and adventure.
They would often practice brutality to get it.

7. Cortes
Cuban governor wanted to explore the continent so he sent Hernan Cortes
Mission:
Report on the “rich and powerful” civilization rumored to be there.
Clashed many times with the natives along the Coast
Took Aztec’s gold, silver and land by force
IMPORTANCE TO TEXAS
He was never in what would be Texas!!!!!
His success got the Spanish government and other conquistadors thinking that there may be more gold in New Spain (including in the area that would become Texas)

8. Alonso Alvarez de Pineda
In 1519 – Pineda sailed from his base camp in Jamaica into the Gulf of Mexico
He was the first European to map the coast line of Texas
Pineda never actually set foot in Texas, but his contribution was important because his maps were used by later explorers

9. First Glimpse of Texas: Pineda
1519
He tries to establish a colony but is killed by Natives in 1520
His Mission: Map the Gulf Coast between Florida and Mexico
Tampico
Cabo Rojo
Spanish Governor of Jamaica sent Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda
Sailed to Cabo Rojo, Mexico
Run in with Cortes
Cortes arrests some of Pineda’s men
Pineda retreats to modern day Tampico
Jamaica

10. Pineda’s Importance to Texas
Never actually set foot in Texas
But, he was the first European to set eyes on what would become our state
Texas History BEGINS with Pineda’s maps (YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT DATE!!!!!)

11. Cabeza de Vaca
Importance to Texas
Texas’ first explorer
De Vaca and his fellow Spaniards were the FIRST Europeans to set foot in what would become Texas
Texas’ first author
When de Vaca got back to Spain, he wrote a book about his experiences with the Native people of Texas called La Relacion
de Vaca is important to Texas because he was the first to explore the land and wrote detailed descriptions of his journey across Texas

12. Cabeza de Vaca Journey

13. France Enters the Race for Texas
In 1683 Robert La Salle gained approval from the French King to settle a colony where the Mississippi River empties into the Gulf of Mexico
He set sail with 4 ships, 280 men, and French colonists
The French wanted a position from which they could attack Spanish Mexico and block any further English-American expansion westward

14. La Salle Misjudges
Instead of reaching the Mississippi River, La Salle ended up shipwrecked at Matagorda Bay on the Texas Coast
1685 La Salle established Fort St Louis and set up a permanent French settlement in Texas
He journeyed west across the state keeping a detailed journey of his explorations
He once again set out east in an attempt to find the mouth of the Mississippi, but he was murdered by his own men who had lost faith in his abilities
Those who had stayed behind were eventually massacred by the Karankawa

15. France Scares Spain
After several expeditions into Texas, the Spanish lost interest in the land because of its harsh climates and Native Americans
However, when the Spanish heard about Fort St Louis, they feared the French would claim Texas and all its land tipping the balance of power in favor of France
So once again the Spanish Crown began sending expeditions into Texas to claim it for Spain and thus ensure that Spain remained the dominant European power