1. European Exploration European Exploration Chapter 5

2. Christopher Columbus 1492 Tried to reach Asia by sailing West Discovered Americas Thought he had landed in East Indies really landed in present day San Salvador

3. Spain 1519 - 1685

4. Alonzo Alvarez de Piñeda 1519 Sent to map the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico and establish a colony First European to observe the Texas Coast Claimed Texas for Spain

5. Hernán Cortés 1519 Sent to explore continent and report on riches Met Aztecs and found large amounts of gold Attacked and defeated the Aztec (Conquistador) Renamed Aztec capital Mexico City

6. Pánfilo de Narváez 1526 Sent to conquer land between Florida and Mexico Expedition failed On return from Florida most of the men including Narváez drowned in a hurricane A few washed ashore on Galveston Island

7. Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca 1528 - 1536 Member of Narvaéz Expedition that survived storm when he washed ashore on Galveston Island Met Karankawa Indians Escaped with 3 others and searched for a way back to Mexico First European to explore Texas Reported rumors of Cíbola, the Seven Cities of Gold

8. Estevanico 1528 - 1536 and 1538 Member of Narvaéz, Cabeza de Vaca, and Friar Marcos expeditions Served as a guide and translator First African to explore Texas

9. Friar Marcos de Niza 1538 Sent to find Cíbola the Seven Cities of Gold Saw sun reflecting off pueblo village and mistook it for gold Traveled back and reported seeing the city of Cíbola

10. Francisco Vásquez de Coronado 1540 Sent to conquer the city of Cíbola Found no gold Explored the Texas Panhandle Discovered Palo Duro Canyon

11. Coronado Expedition

12. Hernando de Soto 1539 Sent to search for Cíbola from Florida Explored much of Southeastern US Found no gold Discovered Mississippi River and died shortly afterward

13. Luis de Moscoso de Alvarado 1542 Took over when De Soto died Explored East Texas Found no gold Returned to Mexico

14. Juan de Oñate 1598 Sent to establish a Spanish colony in northern frontier Established Santa Fe in New Mexico Later moved south and established first Texas Mission; Corpus Christi de la Ysleta

15. France 1685 - 1690

16. René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle 1685 Sent by King of France to establish French colony at the mouth of Mississippi River Landed in Texas by mistake Built Fort St Louis Killed by his own men