EUROPEAN EXPLORERS OF TEXAS

THE CARIBBEAN SEA NEAR THE COAST OF FLORIDA Explorer’s Name COLUMBUS Date of Exploration 1492 Area Explored THE CARIBBEAN SEA NEAR THE COAST OF FLORIDA Accomplishment & Effect on the Future ESTABLISHED COLONIES THAT LED TO A SPANISH EMPIRE IN THE NEW WORLD OTHER SPANIARDS EXPLORED THE AMERICAS STARTED THE COLUMBIAN EXCHANGE Reason for Exploration TO FIND A NEW ROUTE FROM EUROPE TO THE INDIES

Accomplishment & Effect on the Future CONQUERED THE AZTECS Explorer’s Name CORTES Date of Exploration 1519 Area Explored CENTRAL MEXICO FROM VERA CRUZ TO MEXICO CITY Accomplishment & Effect on the Future CONQUERED THE AZTECS ESTABLISHED MEXICO CITY OTHER SPANIARDS EXPLORED THE AMERICAS Reason for Exploration LOOKING FOR TREASURE, TO SPREAD THEIR RELIGION, ESTABLISH SETTLEMENTS

PINEDA COASTLINE OF THE GULF OF MEXICO FROM FLORIDA TO MEXICO Explorer’s Name PINEDA Date of Exploration 1519 Area Explored COASTLINE OF THE GULF OF MEXICO FROM FLORIDA TO MEXICO Accomplishment & Effect on the Future FIRST EUROPEAN TO SEE THE TEXAS COAST AND CREATE A MAP OF THE NORTHERN GUL F OF MEXICO ENCOURAGED OTHERS TO GO TO THE NEW LAND AND SETTLE Reason for Exploration TO OBSERVE THE LAND AND MAKE A MAP

Explorer’s Name NARVAEZ Date of Exploration 1527 Accomplishment & Effect on the Future SEARCHED FOR GOLD IN REGION CALLED APALACHEE; GOT LOST BEGINS AGE OF CONTACT IN TEXAS IN 1528 DIED WHEN SHIP SANK OFF MATAGORDA BAY Date of Exploration 1527 Area Explored GULF OF MEXICO IN FLORIDA NEAR TAMPA BAY; SAILED ALONG COAST TO MEXICO Reason for Exploration LOOKING FOR RICHES IN FLORIDA

Explorer’s Name DE VACA Accomplishment & Effect on the Future LEARNED ABOUT THE INTERIOR OF TEXAS ENCOURAGED MORE EXPLORATION BY TELLING STORIES OF THE SEVEN GOLDEN CITIES OF CIBOLA WROTE THE FIRST ACCOUNT OF EUROPEAN LIFE IN NORTH AMERICA Explorer’s Name DE VACA Date of Exploration 1527-1536 Area Explored THE COAST AND INTERIOR OF TEXAS Reason for Exploration TO FIND RICHES AND SPREAD THEIR RELIGION

GUIDE FOR DE VACA AND FRAY MARCOS Explorer’s Name Estevanico Date of Exploration 1527-1536 Area Explored THE COAST AND INTERIOR OF TEXAS (SOUTH AND WEST TEXAS); NORTHERN MEXICO Accomplishment & Effect on the Future NORTH AFRICAN SLAVE HIGH SKILL OF COMMUNICATING WITH DIFFERENT INDIAN GROUPS TRADED WITH INDIAN TRIBES KILLED BY THE ZUNI INDIANS Reason for Exploration GUIDE FOR DE VACA AND FRAY MARCOS

ARIZONA INTO NEW MEXICO SENT TO FIND CIBOLA-THE 7 CITIES OF GOLD Explorer’s Name Fray Marcos de Niza Date of Exploration 1539 Area Explored ARIZONA INTO NEW MEXICO Reason for Exploration SENT TO FIND CIBOLA-THE 7 CITIES OF GOLD Accomplishment & Effect on the Future CLAIMED TO HAVE FOUND CIBOLA-REALLY JUST ADOBE BUILDINGS COVERED WITH STRAW FURTHERED SPANISH EXPLORATION FOR GOLD SENT BACK TO MEXICO IN SHAME

Explorer’s Name CORONADO Date of Exploration 1540-1542 Accomplishment & Effect on the Future FIRST EUROPEANS TO SEE THE BUFFALO, PALO DURO & GRAND CANYONS DISCOURAGED FURTHER EXPLORATION; NO GOLD WAS FOUND SEARCHED FOR QUIVIRA, ANOTHER REGION WITH CITIES OF GOLD Explorer’s Name CORONADO Reason for Exploration TO FIND THE SEVEN GOLDEN CITIES OF CIBOLA Date of Exploration 1540-1542 Area Explored AMERICAN SOUTHWEST, TEXAS PANHANDLE AND GREAT PLAINS

FROM FLORIDA TO EAST TEXAS Explorer’s Name DE SOTO & MOSCOSO Accomplishment & Effect on the Future FIRST EUROPEANS TO SEE THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER DISCOURAGED FURTHER EXPLORATION REINFORCED SPAIN’S CLAIM TO NORTH AMERCA AFTER DE SOTO DIED, MOSCOSO TOOK OVER EXPEDITION Date of Exploration 1539-1543 Area Explored FROM FLORIDA TO EAST TEXAS Reason for Exploration LOOKING FOR RICHES

Explorer’s Name JUAN DE ONATE Date of Exploration 1598 Area Explored ESTABLISHED NEW MEXICO CLAIMED EL PASO DEL NORTE TO UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY FOR SPAIN Reason for Exploration INCREASE SPAIN’S WEALTH ANDSPREAD CHRISTIANITY TO THE PUEBLO Accomplishment & Effect on the Future NO GOLD-SPAIN LOST INTEREST IN EXPLORING TEXAS NEW MEXICO CONTINUED TO THRIVE

LA SALLE 1685 MATAGORDA BAY AREA AND BRAZOS RIVER VALLEY Explorer’s Name LA SALLE Date of Exploration 1685 Area Explored MATAGORDA BAY AREA AND BRAZOS RIVER VALLEY Accomplishment & Effect on the Future BUILT FORT ST. LOUIS GAVE FRANCE A CLAIM TO TEXAS FORCED SPANISH TO SETTLE TEXAS OR LOSE CONTROL OF IT KILLED BY HIS OWN MEN Reason for Exploration TO ESTABLISH A TRADING POST AT THE MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER