-
1492
Christopher Columbus' Voyage
Christopher Columbus started an exploration to look for a route to China/India going westward and instead, found the New World. (North/South America) -
Period: 1492 to
Columbian Exchange
The trade between food, natural resources, livestock, plants, and diseases from Europe and Africa to the Americas. Many non-immune indigenous people died from smallpox, measles, etc. -
Period: 1500 to
Middle Passage
The "Middle Passage" was the slave trade from Africa to the Americas and many slaves died during travel -
1519
Hernan Cortes' Voyage
Hernan Cortez conquered the Aztecs and claimed their land on behalf of Spain. He was also the most successful and richest Conquistador. -
1519
Pineda's Voyage
Pineda landed in Florida and eventually landed in Southwest Texas and mapped the Gulf of Mexico. He did not find any gold. -
Period: 1527 to 1539
Cabeza de Vaca's Voyage
Cabeza de Vaca was part of the failed Navarez expedition and he explored Southeast Texas, present-day Northern Mexico, and along the Rio Grande. He thought he saw gold villages but they were pueblo houses and the Karankawa tribe called him a healer. -
Period: 1528 to
Age of Contact
The "Age of Contact" was when Spaniards - and later the French - came to Texas looking for wealth and fame. They were also hoping to find native empires. -
Period: 1538 to 1542
DeSoto's Voyage
DeSoto explored East Texas (Sabine River) and also what is now most of what is now most of the Southeast U.S. He claimed the Mississippi River for Spain and died of fever. -
Period: 1540 to 1542
Cornado's Voyage
Coronado led the largest Spanish expedition to seek Cibola (7 Cities of Gold) and then the expedition heard of Quevera, another rumor of gold. Lies were spread by Estevanico and Frair Marco who never saw gold cities. (Just Pueblo villages) Coronado's men also got to see the Grand Canyon. -
Period: to
Juan de Ornate's Voyage
Juan de Ornate founded the present-day cities of El Paso, Texas, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. He became the governor of New Mexico and was looking for gold in Zuni lands but slaughtered them when he didn't find any. -
Period: to
LaSalle's Voyage
LaSalle was the only French explorer to explore Texas. He accidentally landed on Madogorta Bay instead of the mouth of the Mississippi River to build a fort and he claimed the land for Spain, forced Spain to begin colonization of Texas, and prevented France from claiming Spanish territory.