1. EUROPEAN
EXPLORERS
OF TEXAS

2. THE CARIBBEAN SEA NEAR THE COAST OF FLORIDA
Explorer’s Name
COLUMBUS
Date of Exploration
1492
Area Explored
THE CARIBBEAN SEA NEAR THE COAST OF FLORIDA
Accomplishment & Effect on the Future
ESTABLISHED COLONIES THAT LED TO A SPANISH EMPIRE IN THE NEW WORLD
OTHER SPANIARDS EXPLORED THE AMERICAS
STARTED THE COLUMBIAN EXCHANGE
Reason for Exploration
TO FIND A NEW ROUTE FROM EUROPE TO THE INDIES

3. Accomplishment & Effect on the Future CONQUERED THE AZTECS
Explorer’s Name
CORTES
Date of Exploration
1519
Area Explored
CENTRAL MEXICO FROM VERA CRUZ TO MEXICO CITY
Accomplishment & Effect on the Future
CONQUERED THE AZTECS
ESTABLISHED MEXICO CITY
OTHER SPANIARDS EXPLORED THE AMERICAS
Reason for Exploration
LOOKING FOR TREASURE, TO SPREAD THEIR RELIGION, ESTABLISH SETTLEMENTS

4. PINEDA COASTLINE OF THE GULF OF MEXICO FROM FLORIDA TO MEXICO
Explorer’s Name
PINEDA
Date of Exploration
1519
Area Explored
COASTLINE OF THE GULF OF MEXICO FROM FLORIDA TO MEXICO
Accomplishment & Effect on the Future
FIRST EUROPEAN TO SEE THE TEXAS COAST AND CREATE A MAP OF THE NORTHERN GUL F OF MEXICO
ENCOURAGED OTHERS TO GO TO THE NEW LAND AND SETTLE
Reason for Exploration
TO OBSERVE THE LAND AND MAKE A MAP

5. Explorer’s Name NARVAEZ Date of Exploration 1527
Accomplishment & Effect on the Future
SEARCHED FOR GOLD IN REGION CALLED APALACHEE; GOT LOST
BEGINS AGE OF CONTACT IN TEXAS IN 1528
DIED WHEN SHIP SANK OFF MATAGORDA BAY
Date of Exploration
1527
Area Explored
GULF OF MEXICO IN FLORIDA NEAR TAMPA BAY; SAILED ALONG COAST TO MEXICO
Reason for Exploration
LOOKING FOR RICHES IN FLORIDA

6. Explorer’s Name DE VACA Accomplishment & Effect on the Future
LEARNED ABOUT THE INTERIOR OF TEXAS
ENCOURAGED MORE EXPLORATION BY TELLING STORIES OF THE SEVEN GOLDEN CITIES OF CIBOLA
WROTE THE FIRST ACCOUNT OF EUROPEAN LIFE IN NORTH AMERICA
Explorer’s Name
DE VACA
Date of Exploration
Area Explored
THE COAST AND INTERIOR OF TEXAS
Reason for Exploration
TO FIND RICHES AND SPREAD THEIR RELIGION

7. GUIDE FOR DE VACA AND FRAY MARCOS
Explorer’s Name
Estevanico
Date of Exploration
Area Explored
THE COAST AND INTERIOR OF TEXAS (SOUTH AND WEST TEXAS); NORTHERN MEXICO
Accomplishment & Effect on the Future
NORTH AFRICAN SLAVE
HIGH SKILL OF COMMUNICATING WITH DIFFERENT INDIAN GROUPS
TRADED WITH INDIAN TRIBES
KILLED BY THE ZUNI INDIANS
Reason for Exploration
GUIDE FOR DE VACA AND FRAY MARCOS

8. ARIZONA INTO NEW MEXICO SENT TO FIND CIBOLA-THE 7 CITIES OF GOLD
Explorer’s Name
Fray Marcos de Niza
Date of Exploration
1539
Area Explored
ARIZONA INTO NEW MEXICO
Reason for Exploration
SENT TO FIND CIBOLA-THE 7 CITIES OF GOLD
Accomplishment & Effect on the Future
CLAIMED TO HAVE FOUND CIBOLA-REALLY JUST ADOBE BUILDINGS COVERED WITH STRAW
FURTHERED SPANISH EXPLORATION FOR GOLD
SENT BACK TO MEXICO IN SHAME

9. Explorer’s Name CORONADO Date of Exploration 1540-1542
Accomplishment & Effect on the Future
FIRST EUROPEANS TO SEE THE BUFFALO, PALO DURO & GRAND CANYONS
DISCOURAGED FURTHER EXPLORATION; NO GOLD WAS FOUND
SEARCHED FOR QUIVIRA, ANOTHER REGION WITH CITIES OF GOLD
Explorer’s Name
CORONADO
Reason for Exploration
TO FIND THE SEVEN GOLDEN CITIES OF CIBOLA
Date of Exploration
Area Explored
AMERICAN SOUTHWEST, TEXAS PANHANDLE AND GREAT PLAINS

10. FROM FLORIDA TO EAST TEXAS
Explorer’s Name
DE SOTO
& MOSCOSO
Accomplishment & Effect on the Future
FIRST EUROPEANS TO SEE THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
DISCOURAGED FURTHER EXPLORATION
REINFORCED SPAIN’S CLAIM TO NORTH AMERCA
AFTER DE SOTO DIED, MOSCOSO TOOK OVER EXPEDITION
Date of Exploration
Area Explored
FROM FLORIDA TO EAST TEXAS
Reason for Exploration
LOOKING FOR RICHES

11. Explorer’s Name JUAN DE ONATE Date of Exploration 1598
Area Explored
ESTABLISHED NEW MEXICO
CLAIMED EL PASO DEL NORTE TO UPPER RIO GRANDE VALLEY FOR SPAIN
Reason for Exploration
INCREASE SPAIN’S WEALTH ANDSPREAD CHRISTIANITY TO THE PUEBLO
Accomplishment & Effect on the Future
NO GOLD-SPAIN LOST INTEREST IN EXPLORING TEXAS
NEW MEXICO CONTINUED TO THRIVE

12. LA SALLE 1685 MATAGORDA BAY AREA AND BRAZOS RIVER VALLEY
Explorer’s Name
LA SALLE
Date of Exploration
1685
Area Explored
MATAGORDA BAY AREA AND BRAZOS RIVER VALLEY
Accomplishment & Effect on the Future
BUILT FORT ST. LOUIS
GAVE FRANCE A CLAIM TO TEXAS
FORCED SPANISH TO SETTLE TEXAS OR LOSE CONTROL OF IT
KILLED BY HIS OWN MEN
Reason for Exploration
TO ESTABLISH A TRADING POST AT THE MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER