Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda Commissioned: To explore the Gulf of Mexico and establish a Spanish colony. Results of Expedition: First European to see Texas. Founded a colony near Tampico. Some of his men were arrested by Cortes.

Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda

Hernan Cortes Conqueror who changes the world in 1519

Hernan Cortes Commissioned to conquer a rich and powerful Indian tribe of Central America. Results of Expedition: Founded the city of Vera Cruz. He then tricks the Aztecs, ultimately slaughtering them and taking control of Tenochtitlan in 1519.

Hernan Cortes Moctezuma II thought Cortes was the God Quetzalcoatl, and let him and his army into the city. Picture of Quetzalcoatl Cortes renamed the city Mexico. Today a marker sits on the very spot where the two leaders met and battled.

Pánfilo de Narváez Was given the land of Florida. Was told to conquer all the land between Florida and Mexico. Began his expedition with 400 men.

Pánfilo de Narváez Narvaez lost over 100 men before reaching an area around present day New Orleans. He and over 200 others were then killed by a Hurricane. The remaining 80 men made it to Texas and lived with the Karankawas. Unfortunately, the settlers brought disease with them and killed many Indians. By the end of Narvaez’s 6-year expedition only four men had survived.

Cabeza de Vaca One of the four survivors of the Narvaez expedition. His only goal after six years of disaster is to make it to Mexico alive. It takes him 18 months, but he makes it back to Mexico.

Cabeza de Vaca Once back in Mexico, de Vaca tells the nobility of the great cities of gold known as the Seven Cities of Cibola.

Estevanico 1 of 4 survivors from the Narvaez’ expedition. Extremely smart man who was able to learn languages within days. Also learned about herbs and medicines. Probably the first black man to explore the U.S.

Estevanico and Friar Marcos de Niza Commissioned to find the Seven Cities of Cibola Estevanico is killed by Zuni Indians Friar Marcos thinks he sees the golden cities, but in reality he sees the setting sun on a pueblo village.

Francisco Vazquez de Coronado The large expedition of over 1000 men, and 1500 horses is commissioned to find the Seven Cities of Cibola

Francisco Vazquez de Coronado Finds Cibola and realizes the legend is false. The city is just adobe homes, not a golden city. Splits up his group. One group travels west and becomes the first Europeans to see the Grand Canyon. Coronado follows a man named El Turco, to Quivira another city that is filled with gold and precious jewels.

Francisco Vazquez de Coronado When Coronado realizes Quivira is another poor adobe city he has El Turko killed. Coronado returns to Mexico with nothing, his expedition is a failure.

Hernan de Soto Commissioned to find Cibola. Becomes ill on the expedition and dies. Is credited with being the first European to see the Mississippi River.

Moscoso de Alvarado In charge of de Soto expedition after his death. Makes it back to Mexico with 311 of 600 original men from the expedition. Credited with being the first European expedition to explore the interior of the United States.

Remember! During this time period the area we are studying is not Texas, the U.S., or Mexico! It is New Spain.

Juan Onate Commissioned to establish a mission in the Northern Frontier of New Spain. Was successful! He established Santa Fe in 1610.

Santa Fe today…almost 400 years later

Father Juan de Salas Leads missionaries into West Texas to work with the Jumanos in 1629 and 1632. Is very successful leading many to believe a Mission could be built in Texas.

Juan de Salas 50 years later, Salas’ work is honored when the first Texas Mission named ‘Corpus Christi de la Ysleta’ is established in 1682 near modern day El Paso. Spain will now build other missions across Texas—including several just a few miles away!