Spanish Exploration A look into the world of Exploration!

Christopher Columbus 1492, Columbus sails the ocean blue He and his crew land in Hispanola Called Native Americans “Indios” meaning Indians

Spain establishes colonies Reasons for exploration –Wealth (Gold) –land = power (Glory) –Spread the Christian faith (God) 1519, Pineda and his crew were the first Europeans to explore the Texas coastline

Hernando Cortes Searching for a rumored wealthy civilization He founded the city of Veracruz Aztec Empire –Capitol – Tenochtitlan –Emperor Montezuma believed Cortes to be the legendary God, Quetzalcoatl Battles –Cortes’ men took over the Aztec gold and silver –Named the new capitol, Mexico City

Panfilo de Narvaez Was granted the land of Florida Expedition –400 men and 82 horses were led ashore into present day Florida November 1528, a hurricane hits Narvaez drowned 80 survivors went ashore in Galveston First known Europeans to set foot in Texas –Karanakawas felt bad for them; gave them food –the Karankawas began dying of small pox and influenza

Cabeza de Vaca De Vaca was a survivor of the Narvaez Expedition Karankawa teachings –De Vaca learned herbal remedies for the sick –began to perform surgeries First Europeans to explore the interior of Texas Seven Cities of Gold –City of Cibola – an entire city made of gold –There was no city of gold saw the shiny roofs of the adobe homes when the sun hit them just right

Francisco Vasquez de Coronado 1540 – went to search for the 7 Cities of Cibola Traveled west to present day New Mexico Were the first Europeans to see the Grand Canyon! Failed mission: never found gold!

Hernando de Soto 1539 – left Spain to search for the Cities of Cibola Explored parts of present day: –Georgia –North & South Carolina –Tennessee –Alabama –Mississippi –Arkansas First major expedition to explore the interior of North America

French Exploration

Rene-Robert LaSalle Reached the mouth of the Mississippi on April 9, Named the territory “La Louisiane” or Louisiana, in honor of the french King. Tried to establish a colony on the Texas/Louisiana border. –Fort St. Louis Colony failed due to lack of supplies and drought LaSalle was killed by his own men.