The Power Point will let us know why the Spanish and French came to Texas.

 Empire- geographically extensive groups of states and peoples united under either an Emperor.  Explorer- a person who while on an exploration is in search of new found information about a particular place.  Expedition- a journey or voyage taken for a specific cause.  Conquistadors- Spanish soldier who sought wealth and power for Spain in the conquest of the Americas.  Friars- Members of the Catholic religious order, who helped Spain in their conquest.

 In 1492, Italian Christopher Columbus is sent on a exploration to find better trade routes into Asia.  Spanish came for God, Gold and Glory.  God- Spread the Catholic Religion.  Gold- to pay for the many expeditions.  Glory- to be acclaimed for the Crown.

 The French came to set up colonies for their country and to challenge the Spanish for claim of Texas.  The French also traded for Beaver Fur.  The French also came to spread their faith.

 Conquistadors fought their way through the Native Americans with far better weapons, and set claim on their new territory.  Friars helped the Spanish take claim of the territory by trying to convert the Native Americans to the Catholic Faith.

 In 1519 he became the first European to explore the coast of Texas.  He explored the coastline of Florida and Mexico.  His maps and charts were the first made of the Gulf Coast.

He was the first person to prove Florida was not an Island.

Hernan Cortes

 In 1519, with an Army of 500 soldiers he quickly destroyed the Native American army and challenged the Aztec Empire.  The Indians were out matched by the Gun and the Horse brought by the Spanish.  Cortes founds a new city named after the Aztecs, Mexico.  Mexico City becomes the capital of New Spain.

 In 1527 De Vaca was apart of Panfilo de Narvaez’s expedition.  The expedition shipwrecked near Galveston and the survivors where the first Europeans to enter what is now Texas.  With the help of the Karankawas, De Vaca and his men were able to survive.  Estevanico (Estaban) from Morocco is believed to be the first African American to set foot in Texas.  Cabeza de Vaca would later report that he found no Gold in Texas, but saw huge “cows” with horns.

 In 1540 Coronado commanded and expedition looking for the “Seven Golden Cities of Cibola.”  He did not find Gold either, but he did find Pueblo Indians. After being upset he sends his men to discover the gold.  His men find instead the Grand Canyon, grassy lands and large amounts of buffalo.  Following his searches through present day, Texas, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona, Coronado claims the lands under the Crown.

Coronado’s Route

 In 1682, After hearing of Coronado's success, La Salle comes to stake claim of parts of Texas in the interest of the French.  Although he establishes Louisiana, he fails to stake permanent claim of Texas.  The French Flag is the 2 nd flag to fly over Texas.  Establishes Fort St. Louis