Explorers Chart Spanish and French Explorers Early Exploration

COLUMBUS Why in Texas? – To find India Importance: – Lead the way for Spanish explorers – Claimed much of Mexico, the Carribean and the US for Spain Impact on Native Americans – Beginning of the end for the Native American way of life

CORTES Why in Texas? – Exploring for gold Importance: – Defeated Aztecs to gain their riches Impact on Native Americans – Natives that were enemies of the Aztecs joined the Spanish – Persuaded the Aztecs he was a God.

PINEDA Why in Texas? – To explore the coast of Texas – Wanted gold Importance: – First European to map coast of Texas Impact on Native Americans – Caused a Native American uprising – Died in Mexico 1520

CABEZA DE VACA Why in Texas? – Sent to conquer area between Florida and Mexico in 1527 – Shipwrecked Importance: – Spent nearly 6 years in Texas – Learned about land and people of Texas Impact on Native Americans – Cultural diffusion, guns – Disease – Ended way of life for many Native Americans in Texas

CORONADO Why in Texas? – Sent by Viceroy to explore Cibola Importance: – Claimed Wichita land as Spanish – Tried to find “riches” of Cibola Impact on Native Americans – Executed Turk – Killed many Native Americans

LA SALLE Why in Texas? – Looking for the mouth of the Mississippi – Blown of course by a storm Importance: – Claimed land from west Texas to east Texas, shifting Spanish focus to that area Impact on Native Americans – Fought with the Karankawa