Spanish Exploration

Christopher Columbus' First Voyage

Aug 3, 1492

Looking for: Gold, spices, and a route to Asia.
Found: Indians that he thought could be slaves.
Important because: His discovery lead to further expeditions and gave Spain more land.

Hernan Cortes' Voyage

Jan 1, 1504

Counquered: The Aztec Empire, in Mexico.
Importance: Helped to become a spanish settlement for future exploration of the Americas, as well as further colonization of Mexico.

Pineda's Voyage

Apr 1, 1519

What he did: Mapped over 800 miles of coastline of the Gulf of Mexico.
Importance: His map (the first of such) lead to exploration and colonization of the area, and it proved Florida was not an island.

Cabeza de Vaca's Voyage

Jun 27, 1527

Leader: Pánfilo de Narváez
Purpose: To explore Florida and to claim land for Spain.

De Vaca Discovers Texas

Nov 6, 1528

How it happened: a strong winds left them shipwrecked on a beach near Galveston, Texas (Follet's Island).
Time there: November 1528-September 1535
Tribes met: Karankawas, Coahuiltecans, and Jumanos.

Fray Marcos and Esteban Journey

Mar 7, 1539

Purpose: To find the 7 cities of gold and report of their findings.
Esteban's fate: He was killed by the Zuni Indians in Cibola.
Report: The city does exist, and there would be further exploration.

Coronado's Expedition

Feb 1, 1540

Searched for: Cibola (New Mexico) and Quivira (Kansas)
Guide: A Plains Indian called 'The Turk', who was executed by the Spaniards because he led the expedition astray.
Discovery: Two Indian cities, of which were both supposed to be wealthy.
Importance: Halted spanish exploration for over 150 years.

Moscoso's Expedition

May 21, 1542

Original Leader of the Expedition: Hernando de Soto, who died at the Mississippi River from fever in 1942. Command of de Soto's expediction was tranferred to Moscoso.
Discovered: Oil floating in the water after being forced ashore between Sabine Pass and High Island, Texas.
(the picture is De Soto)