The Spanish in Georgia

Why were the Europeans venturing out? Europe is in the midst of the Renaissance Europe is in the midst of the Renaissance Looking for a shorter route to Asia for trade Looking for a shorter route to Asia for trade The land route to the east was controlled by the Ottoman Empire The land route to the east was controlled by the Ottoman Empire

Portuguese 1497 explorer Vasco de Gama sailed around Africa and northeast to Asia in caravels

Spanish Christopher Columbus, an Italian explorer sailing for Spain attempted sailing west across the Atlantic in 1492 Christopher Columbus, an Italian explorer sailing for Spain attempted sailing west across the Atlantic in 1492 Found the Americas, not Asia Found the Americas, not Asia Launched an era of wealth and power for Spanish Launched an era of wealth and power for Spanish

Conquistadors Conquerors who explored the Americas Conquerors who explored the Americas Destroyed existing cultures Destroyed existing cultures Used guns to defeat Native Americans Used guns to defeat Native Americans Brought disease that killed millions Brought disease that killed millions Looking for fabled cities of gold Looking for fabled cities of gold

Juan Ponce de Leon Sailed with Columbus Sailed with Columbus Stayed in the Caribbean and became governor of Puerto Rico Stayed in the Caribbean and became governor of Puerto Rico Explored Florida in 1515 and 1521 searching for a fountain of youth that restored youth to anyone who bathed in it Explored Florida in 1515 and 1521 searching for a fountain of youth that restored youth to anyone who bathed in it

Didnt find the fountain, but something more important to navigators Didnt find the fountain, but something more important to navigators The Gulf Stream, providing a fast route north from South America The Gulf Stream, providing a fast route north from South America

Vasquez de Ayllon First attempted Spanish settlement 1525/6 First attempted Spanish settlement 1525/6 North Carolina, too buggy North Carolina, too buggy South Carolina South Carolina Georgia, San Miguel de Gualdape Georgia, San Miguel de Gualdape /lucas-vasquez-de-ayllon /lucas-vasquez-de-ayllon /lucas-vasquez-de-ayllon /lucas-vasquez-de-ayllon Many died there, including Ayllon, and settlers left for Hispaniola Many died there, including Ayllon, and settlers left for Hispaniola

Hernando de Soto In Georgia, encountered the Coosa In Georgia, encountered the Coosa Captured their chief Captured their chief

Native Americans pursued, but lost up to 3,000 people Native Americans pursued, but lost up to 3,000 people De Soto soon became fatally ill De Soto soon became fatally ill His soldiers sunk his body in the Mississippi River His soldiers sunk his body in the Mississippi River 300 Spanish survived to return to Spain with nothing 300 Spanish survived to return to Spain with nothing Further explorers went to Mexico and South America Further explorers went to Mexico and South America

DeSoto artifacts at Fernbank

Settlement at last 1565 Spain sends Pedro Menendez de Aviles to keep the French out of Florida 1565 Spain sends Pedro Menendez de Aviles to keep the French out of Florida He routed the French and built a fort named St. Augustine He routed the French and built a fort named St. Augustine Pictured – Castillo de San Marcos finished 1695 Pictured – Castillo de San Marcos finished 1695

Missions To keep the French off of the coast, Spain built missions To keep the French off of the coast, Spain built missions Also brought Christianity to the Indians Also brought Christianity to the Indians

The Santa Catalina de Guale mission on St. Catherines Island was founded in 1566 The Santa Catalina de Guale mission on St. Catherines Island was founded in 1566 Coast and southern Georgia under Spanish control for over 100 years Coast and southern Georgia under Spanish control for over 100 years Santa Catalina was discovered in the 1980s Santa Catalina was discovered in the 1980s