Early Explorers First Steps in a New Land p

How did the Natives get to America? Bering Strait

Columbus Sights a New World After sailing for 33 days, Christopher Columbus spotted several islands in the Caribbean Sea. (1492) After sailing for 33 days, Christopher Columbus spotted several islands in the Caribbean Sea. (1492) While searching for a new route to Asia, Columbus had reached a new continent unknown in Europe. While searching for a new route to Asia, Columbus had reached a new continent unknown in Europe. Columbus was an Italian, sailing under the flag of Spain. Columbus was an Italian, sailing under the flag of Spain. In the years following the first voyage, Spain established an empire in what came to be known as America. In the years following the first voyage, Spain established an empire in what came to be known as America.

New Spain Spanish soldiers, conquistadors, sought riches and power for themselves and wealth and glory for Spain. 3G’s- God, Gold, and Glory Spanish soldiers, conquistadors, sought riches and power for themselves and wealth and glory for Spain. 3G’s- God, Gold, and Glory The conquistadors made it possible for others to follow after them and build towns, lay roads, open mines, and develop farms and ranches. The conquistadors made it possible for others to follow after them and build towns, lay roads, open mines, and develop farms and ranches. Friars, members of Catholic religious orders, helped convert Native Americans to the Catholic faith. Friars, members of Catholic religious orders, helped convert Native Americans to the Catholic faith. Friars established religious outposts called missions. Friars established religious outposts called missions.

Cortes Lands in Mexico In 1519, Hernan Cortes sailed from Cuba and landed on the eastern coast of Mexico. In 1519, Hernan Cortes sailed from Cuba and landed on the eastern coast of Mexico. On his way to the capital, Tenochtitlan, Cortes persuaded thousands of suppressed Native Americans (Aztecs) to rebel against their ruler. On his way to the capital, Tenochtitlan, Cortes persuaded thousands of suppressed Native Americans (Aztecs) to rebel against their ruler. At first the Aztecs welcomed Cortes because they believed he was their legendary god Quetzalcoatl. At first the Aztecs welcomed Cortes because they believed he was their legendary god Quetzalcoatl. To control the city, Cortes took the emperor, Moctezuma, hostage. To control the city, Cortes took the emperor, Moctezuma, hostage. The Aztecs rebelled and killed Moctezuma. The Aztecs rebelled and killed Moctezuma.

Cortes Lands in Mexico Cortes and his forces tore down Tenochtitlan and built a new city named Mexico, after the Aztec name for themselves. Cortes and his forces tore down Tenochtitlan and built a new city named Mexico, after the Aztec name for themselves. Mexico City became the capital for New Spain. Mexico City became the capital for New Spain. The success of Cortes inspired other Spaniards to come to the Americas in search of treasure, adventure, or to spread the Catholic faith among the Native Americans. The success of Cortes inspired other Spaniards to come to the Americas in search of treasure, adventure, or to spread the Catholic faith among the Native Americans.

Alvarez de Pineda Explores Texas In 1519, Alonso Alvarez de Pineda became the first European to explore the Texas coast. In 1519, Alonso Alvarez de Pineda became the first European to explore the Texas coast. He sailed along the He sailed along the uncharted coastline from Florida to Mexico, he observed and mapped the land.

Shipwrecked in Texas Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca was part of an expedition to conquer the area between Florida and Mexico in Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca was part of an expedition to conquer the area between Florida and Mexico in The expedition failed and a storm grounded Cabeza de Vaca on an island near present-day Galveston. He called the island Malhado, the isle of misfortune. The expedition failed and a storm grounded Cabeza de Vaca on an island near present-day Galveston. He called the island Malhado, the isle of misfortune. The Karankawas, who lived on the coast, built fires and brought food to the starving explorers. The Karankawas, who lived on the coast, built fires and brought food to the starving explorers. Within a few months, however, most of the explorers and many Native Americans had died of diseases. Within a few months, however, most of the explorers and many Native Americans had died of diseases.

Shipwrecked in Texas In time, Native Americans would associate Europeans with disease and find both unwelcome. In time, Native Americans would associate Europeans with disease and find both unwelcome. Cabeza de Vaca survived by adopting the ways of the Karankawas. Cabeza de Vaca survived by adopting the ways of the Karankawas. He became highly regarded as a shaman, or healer. He became highly regarded as a shaman, or healer. One of his companions, Estevanico, from Morocco, became the first known black man to enter Texas. One of his companions, Estevanico, from Morocco, became the first known black man to enter Texas.