EQ: Why did Hernando de Soto end up in Georgia? PT: List reasons explorers wanted to come to Georgia.

In 1537, Hernando de Soto wanted to continue in Ayllon’s pursuit, and try to colonize La Florida. He was granted permission from the king of Spain, and was given 18 months to explore an area 600 miles inland from the Florida coast.

He was to look for riches, and conquer hostile Indians, and in return, he would be given a title, land, and a portion of the colonies profit. He and 600 followers set sail from Spain to Cuba, where they spent a year preparing for their expedition.

In 1539, they sailed for the North American mainland, and landed on Florida’s western coast. They headed north, crossing into Georgia, encountering the Indian chiefdoms of the Mississippian Period.

His route through the southeast quickly became a journey of death and disappointment. Food was a continual problem, and de Soto often seized stored food supply from the Indians.

It is also reported that meat was in such short supply, that they ate the dogs in some Indian Villages. The four-year search turned up practically no gold or silver, and almost half the expedition- including de Soto died from disease, exposure, Indian attacks or other causes.

More tragic was the fate of the Indians of the Southeast More tragic was the fate of the Indians of the Southeast. The natives had never seen guns, steel swords, metal armor and horses. They had only weapons of stone and wood, and were often unable to defend themselves.

Many were killed in battle, tortured and murdered by the Spanish, or forced into slavery. They were also exposed to European disease which they had little resistance. This included measles and chickenpox.

Smallpox, which spread rapidly throughout the southeast, killed about one in three Indians. In just a matter of years, chiefdoms were abandoned and entire villages stood vacant.

Over the next 200 years, European exploration of the New World resulted in the disappearance of over 90 percent of the native population. As a result, the Spanish began importing black slaves from Western Africa to work in the fields and mines of the Caribbean Islands.

By 1562, France was ready to join Spain in the New World By 1562, France was ready to join Spain in the New World. Jean Ribault (Re-bow) and a band of 150 Huguenots (French Protestants) landed on Florida’s coast and sailed northward looking for a place to settle.

They landed just north of Savannah, and here the French constructed Charles Fort, the first European fort on the North American mainland. Famine (starvation due to lack of food) and other hardships, however, forced them to abandon the settlement.

For the few Indians who survived, life was forever changed For the few Indians who survived, life was forever changed. Their descendants would later emerge as the Cherokee, Creek, and other native tribes and nations.

Two years later, a second group of Huguenots arrived in Spanish Florida where they built Fort Caroline. Spain soon became outraged because not only were the French building in Spanish Florida, but they were raiding Spanish ships and settling on Spanish soil.

They quickly retaliated by sending Pedro Menendez and a large force of soldiers and colonists from Spain to force the Huguenots out. Their orders were to drive the French out, and begin colonizing La Florida.

Menendez proceeded to the St Menendez proceeded to the St. Johns River for a surprise attack on Fort Caroline, where he captured the land and executed the French Huguenot defenders. As a result, Menendez founded St. Augustine, Spain’s first successful settlement on the North American continent. It soon became an important military and political base for La Florida.

Spanish ships loaded with New World gold and silver, used the gulf stream off the coast of La Florida to help navigate and protect their passage and treasures from pirates along the way.

Ticket Out The Door: List 3 things you learned today.