Columbus & the Spanish Essential Question: How did Spanish explorations directly impact the early settlements of North America?

Key Players Christopher Columbus Christopher Columbus Juan Ponce de Leon Juan Ponce de Leon Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca Hernando de Soto Hernando de Soto Francisco Coronado Francisco Coronado Coat of Arms of the Crown of Castile

Vocabulary Terms Conquistador Conquistador

16 th Century Map of “the World”

Christopher Columbus Four expeditions of the Caribbean Sea Four expeditions of the Caribbean Sea 1492, 1493, 1498, & 1502 Explored present-day Bahamas, Cuba, and Hispaniola (modern-day Haiti) Explored present-day Bahamas, Cuba, and Hispaniola (modern-day Haiti) Proved the earth was much larger than people previously believed Proved the earth was much larger than people previously believed Thought he reached Asia but had “accidentally” discovered a “new world” Thought he reached Asia but had “accidentally” discovered a “new world” Opened up further interest in exploration Died believing he was a “failure” for not finding a new trade route to Asia Died believing he was a “failure” for not finding a new trade route to Asia

The Four Voyages of Christopher Columbus,

"Columbus at San Salvador" by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, 1937

Juan Ponce de Leon Explored and named modern- day Florida in 1513 Explored and named modern- day Florida in 1513 First recorded landing (near St. Augustine) by Europeans in what is now the present- day U.S. First recorded landing (near St. Augustine) by Europeans in what is now the present- day U.S. Discovered during the time of the Easter Feast holiday, Pascua Florida (feast of flowers) Discovered during the time of the Easter Feast holiday, Pascua Florida (feast of flowers) Believed it was a separate island Believed it was a separate island Mission was to find GOLD, not to find “new lands” or trade routes Mission was to find GOLD, not to find “new lands” or trade routes Returned in 1521 with the intention of setting of the first Spanish colony Returned in 1521 with the intention of setting of the first Spanish colony Attacked by hostile Indians and died from his wounds Attacked by hostile Indians and died from his wounds

Alvar Nunez Cabez de Vaca First European to explore the coast of Texas, though unintentional First European to explore the coast of Texas, though unintentional Shipwrecked after being chased out of Florida! Shipwrecked after being chased out of Florida! Spent 4 years “surviving” in Texas until only 4 men left Spent 4 years “surviving” in Texas until only 4 men left Journied across present-day New Mexico and Arizona Journied across present-day New Mexico and Arizona Captured, enslaved for 2 years Captured, enslaved for 2 years Earned respect, ultimately becoming a skilled medicine man and diplomat for the Karankawa Indians Earned respect, ultimately becoming a skilled medicine man and diplomat for the Karankawa Indians

Hernando de Soto Helped conquer Peru (Inca) with Francisco Pizarro’s expedition in the 1530s Helped conquer Peru (Inca) with Francisco Pizarro’s expedition in the 1530s Set out for North America in 1539 ( ) landing ashore near Tampa Bay Set out for North America in 1539 ( ) landing ashore near Tampa Bay Fleet of 10 ships and hand-selected crew of 700 men based on fighting prowess Fleet of 10 ships and hand-selected crew of 700 men based on fighting prowess Primary mission to find more gold, silver, and jewels Primary mission to find more gold, silver, and jewels Detailed exploration of Florida revealed a much larger land mass than previously thoughts Detailed exploration of Florida revealed a much larger land mass than previously thoughts Pushed WEST Pushed WEST First known European to cross the Mississippi River First known European to cross the Mississippi River Poor treatment of the North American natives earned negative reputation for Europeans – conquistador Poor treatment of the North American natives earned negative reputation for Europeans – conquistador You Tube: Mini Biography B6DzNY You Tube: Mini Biography B6DzNY B6DzNY B6DzNY You Tube: Discovery of de Soto’s 1539 Encampment cKKaI You Tube: Discovery of de Soto’s 1539 Encampment cKKaI cKKaI cKKaI

Hernando de Soto’s Explorations

Francisco Coronado Explored from in Mexico, modern-day Arizona, New Mexico, and Kansas Explored from in Mexico, modern-day Arizona, New Mexico, and Kansas Sought the fabled “golden cities” (cities made of gold!) Sought the fabled “golden cities” (cities made of gold!) Explorations help spread Spanish influence into North America, opening up the Southwest to Spanish settlement Explorations help spread Spanish influence into North America, opening up the Southwest to Spanish settlement

But wait … what’s really going on here?

Christopher Columbus Columbus did not “discover” America Columbus did not “discover” America Native Americans have been living here for 14,000 years Native Americans have been living here for 14,000 years Columbus never set foot in the present-day United States Columbus never set foot in the present-day United States Columbus was a conquistador, his primary mission was to find gold (and/or a new trade route) for Spain while his queen wanted him to convert natives to Christianity Columbus was a conquistador, his primary mission was to find gold (and/or a new trade route) for Spain while his queen wanted him to convert natives to Christianity Columbus enslaved the Tainos Indians, a peaceful tribe, and claimed their lands for Spain Columbus enslaved the Tainos Indians, a peaceful tribe, and claimed their lands for Spain Forced them to dig for gold on their own lands; use of torture Forced them to dig for gold on their own lands; use of torture Half the native population was dead in two years; NONE were left after 5 years Half the native population was dead in two years; NONE were left after 5 years "Such inhumanities and barbarisms were committed in my sight as no age can parallel … my eyes have seen these acts so foreign to human nature that now I tremble as I write.” ~ Bartolome de las Casas "Such inhumanities and barbarisms were committed in my sight as no age can parallel … my eyes have seen these acts so foreign to human nature that now I tremble as I write.” ~ Bartolome de las Casas Arrested for “acts of cruelty” but pardoned by the king and queen of Spain – Columbus made them very rich selling slaves, not by bringing home gold! Arrested for “acts of cruelty” but pardoned by the king and queen of Spain – Columbus made them very rich selling slaves, not by bringing home gold! Though slavery was common and legal at the time, Columbus was considered the first slave trader in the Americas; Columbus’s son became the first African slave trader in 1505 Though slavery was common and legal at the time, Columbus was considered the first slave trader in the Americas; Columbus’s son became the first African slave trader in 1505

Hero or Villain? Skilled sailor, navigator, and ship’s captain Skilled sailor, navigator, and ship’s captain Opportunist Opportunist Product of his time Product of his time Loyal to his patrons, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella Loyal to his patrons, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella Took slaves from those who fought him and his men; befriended other tribes Took slaves from those who fought him and his men; befriended other tribes Importance of the “Columbian Exchange” Importance of the “Columbian Exchange” First to bring diseases to the Americas First to bring diseases to the Americas Unpopular with his own peers Unpopular with his own peers Died a poor, old man believing he accomplished nothing he had set out to do Died a poor, old man believing he accomplished nothing he had set out to do Hero or villain? You decide. Hero or villain? You decide.

Legacy: The Columbian Exchange

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