Spain and Portugal

Ponce de Leon

1493

He was the one of the Caribbean settlers of who sailed with Christopher Columbus. He explored the island of Puerto Rico, and became it's governor.

The First Step Into America

1494

The Spanish signed the treaty of Tordesillas. It was a treaty to split up new land that they will find with the Portuguese. The Spanish citizens traveled across the ocean and were looking for god, gold and glory. They tried to find money, win some fame, and spread Christianity. They also found a sea route to go to India.

Florida

1513

Ponce de Leon left Puerto Rico and went searching for gold and the fountain of youth. He claimed land for Spain and called it La Florida. The Spanish term for Easter celebration. It was the first time Spanish explorers touched the mainland of North America.

The Cortes and the Aztec

1519

The Spanish explorers searched for gold and landed upon the Native American empires. Cortes and his soldiers landed on the gulf coast of Mexico. Their goal was to take over the Aztec empire. The Aztec people thought that Cortes and his soldiers were messengers from their gods. Cortes took advantage of it and took over the Aztec empire.

Part 2 of the Aztec

1521

The Aztec ruler sent gifts to the Spanish people to welcome them but other Aztec nobles saw that there was danger. They resisted to let the Spanish people enter their empire. But in 1521, the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan fell to the Spanish after a violent siege. Many Aztec people died and their homes were destroyed. After their capitol fell down, the Spanish brought changes to the Aztec people.

Tales of the Golden cities.

1527

Cortes success in taking over the Aztec empire inspired other quests for gold in North America. The Spanish landed near the now known as Tampa on the west coast of Florida with 400 men. But there was no luck in finding fortune. There was many cases of misfortunes. The only cases they have on this is on 4 survivors. They traveled and found New Mexico and Arizona.

Other Spanish Explorers

1542

Hernando De Soto landed in Florida and traveled to the south east. De Soto headed west and became the first European to see the the Mississippi river. When he died from his fever, his men buried him in the Mississippi river.

Mining in Mexico

1543

Juan Rodriguez sailed to the north and explored california what is now known as San Diego and Monterrey Bay. Their mission was to find gold but it was a failure. There was no gold in America southwest, so they ended up mining in mexico.

Attack on Spanish settlers

1680

The Pueblo Revolt attacked Santate, the capitol of the Spanish settlers. The Spanish settlers fled the city. The pope tried to restore the Spanish tradition and culture.

Retaking the Land

1692

The Spanish soldiers retook the land from the Pueblo. But even though the Spanish soldiers were successful, the Pueblo culture and tradition still remained strongly.