European & American Explorer Timeline

  • Feb 23, 1540

    Coronado’s Expedition

    Coronado’s Expedition
    In 1540, Coronado and his team went as far north as Kansas in search of the cities of gold. Though he wanted to find a city of gold, it wasn't found because there wasn't any to be found.
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    Spain claims the land that is now Nebraska

    Spain and France were fighting over Nebraska territory, so they had a 7 year battle.
  • Jacques Maerqette’s Expedition

    Jacques Maerqette’s Expedition
    Marquette founded Missouri River as Travel route in 1673.
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    France claims the land that is now Nebraska

    France claimed Nebraska land in 1682 fighting for it and trying to keep it from Spain.
  • Étienne de Veniard, Sieur de Bourgmont comes to Nebraska

    Étienne de Veniard, Sieur de Bourgmont comes to Nebraska
    Traveled along Missouri River to the mouth of the Platte River trading furs.
  • Villasur Expedition

    Villasur Expedition
    Veniard was a French explorer who wanted to make a peace treaty with the local Indian tribes that lived along the Mississippi River. Spain got mad that they were trading supplies with the Indians and attacked them leading to an all out war where a Spaniard was shot 9 times and scalped and survived.
  • Lewis & Clark Expedition

    Lewis & Clark Expedition
    Their goal was to find a water route across the US to the Pacific Ocean so an Asian trade route could be found. The trip lasted 2 years, 4 months, and 10 days from starting the expedition to finishing it.
  • Zebulon Pike's Expedition

    Zebulon Pike's Expedition
    Pike took 23 soldiers from St.Lewis with him to gather information and conditions on the Spanish territory out west. Report kept farmers and settlers from coming to settle on land.
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    The United States claims the land that is now Nebraska

    After the 7 year war, Spain's leader Napoleon found it to be to difficult to control both Spain and Nebraska. Thomas Jefferson offered to buy it and the US got another state which was acquired in 1803.