Expedition – A journey undertaken by a group of people with a definite purpose

Conquistador – A Spanish explorer who searched for wealth and land in the Americas

Colony – A land claimed for and controlled by a distant nation

Journey

Conqueror

Distant nation’s land

WHICH EUROPEAN COUNTRY FUNDED COLUMBUS’S VOYAGES?

Spain – Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand funded the voyage. Columbus was from Italy. From Spain, Columbus sailed the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria.

WHAT DID COLUMBUS HOPE TO FIND IN HIS EXPLORATIONS? He hoped to find a new route across the Atlantic Ocean to Cathay, the European name for China or the Indies. Trade with Asia would be very valuable to Spain. They also wanted to spread the Catholic religion to Asia.

Success?

Columbus landed in what we call the Bahamas (West Indies). He called the island San Salvador (Holy Savior) and its native people Indios. He thought he had landed in the Indies (southeast Asia). He went on to visit many islands.

Failure?

He failed to find a new trade route to Asia or to bring fabulous riches back to Spain. Reports reached Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand that Columbus and his men had enslaved, tortured, or killed thousands of the natives in the Caribbean.

WHAT WERE THE MAIN PURPOSES OF COLUMBUS’S LATER VOYAGES?

King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella financed more voyages, NOT just to explore, but to conquer.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST SPANISH COLONY IN THE AMERICAS?

Santo Domingo was the 1st permanent Spanish colony established on Hispaniola.

HOW DID COLUMBUS’S VOYAGES AFFECT THE LATER EXPLORATION OF TEXAS?

Others soon followed Columbus in search of riches and new lands to conquer. The race to explore and colonize had begun.

Columbus made 4 journeys to the Americas for Spain. He explored the Bahamas, Hispaniola, Cuba, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Central America, and South America.

WHICH EXPLORER AND CREW BECAME THE FIRST EUROPEANS TO EXPLORE THE TEXAS COAST?

Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda was the 1st European to observe the Texas coast in 1519. His mission was to map the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico and establish a Spanish colony. He sailed from Jamaica to Mexico with 4 ships and 270 men. His journey was cut short when he encountered the Spaniard Hernan Cortes who was a rival and who had arrested some of Pineda’s men.

HOW DID CORTES INTERACT WITH THE NATIVE PEOPLE HE MET?

The governor of Cuba commissioned Cortes to explore the continent. He landed in Mexico with 11 ships and 508 soldiers and founded Veracruz. He clashed with the natives along the coast. News of Cortes reached Tenochtitlan (the Aztec capitol located in the interior of Mexico). The Aztec Emperor Moctezuma believed Cortes was the legendary god Quetzalcoatl. Cortes’ red hair was thought to be Quetzalcoatl hair of flames. In a series of bloody battles, Cortes defeated the Aztecs. Cortes renamed Tenochtitlan: Mexico City (which is Mexico’s capitol today).

Narvaez

WHO WAS PANFILO DE NARVAEZ, AND WHAT BAD LUCK DID HE ENCOUNTER?

Narvaez was a conquistador sent to conquer and colonize lands between Florida and Mexico. He drowned at sea. The survivors of his expedition (about 80) landed in Galveston, which they called Malhado (Isle of Misfortune). The 2nd in command after Narvaez was a man named Cabeza de Vaca. They met the Karankawas who befriended them with food and shelter. These Europeans carried diseases (smallpox and influenza), and the Karankawas soon began dying because they lacked the immunities. Six years later, only 4 members of Narvaez’ expedition were alive. (Cabeza de Vaca)

On June 17, 1527, Cabeza de Vaca sailed from the Spanish mainland with 600 settlers to establish colonies on the northern shores of the Gulf of Mexico. The trip went badly, and within a year, nearly all the men in the expedition were dead. During Cabeza’s eight year struggle to stay alive, he traveled from Florida to the Texas coast, and eventually to Mexico City.

Cabeza de Vaca: How Did He Survive?

WHO WERE THE FIRST EUROPEANS TO TRAVEL EXTENSIVELY THROUGH THE INTERIOR OF TEXAS?

Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca (Head of Cow) and an African named Estevanico traveled across Texas into Mexico for 18 months. From the Karankawas, he learned how to use herbs for healing and to perform surgery. He was the 1st European to explore the interior of Texas. He told others in Mexico of the native legends of the Seven Cities of Gold, known as Cibola.

Estevanico

Narvaez Estevanico

In what year did Cabeza’s raft wash ashore in east Texas? November 1528

Cabeza escaped from his Indian captors in 1534. About how long did it take him to walk from the east Texas coast to Mexico City?

Almost two years

About how many miles was this walk? The jagged route from Galveston Island to Mexico City was at least 2,500 miles,

probably more.

What details from the map indicate that this is a tough landscape to survive?

Mountains, desert, unfriendly Indians, absence of towns

Date Problem Cabeza’s Response

Oct. 1528 Thirst With other raft survivors adrift in the Gulf of Mexico, Cabeza drank water stored in hollowed out horse-leg containers

1529-1532 Periodic hunger As a slave, Cabeza ate what was available, including berries, mollusks, rats, roots, lizards, snakes, and spiders.

1530-1532 Distrust Cabeza befriended his captors and was therefore allowed to serve as a trader among Indian bands living within 150 miles of the Gulf Coast.

1530-1535 Communication Cabeza learned four Indian languages, including Charuccos, plus sign language.

1534 Cold/Despair Lost and completely naked, Cabeza happened on a smoldering tree that had been struck by lightning. He lit a branch in the dying flames and kept the torch burning as he walked. Each night he huddled in a hole that he’d dug and “around that pit placed four fires like the points of a cross.”

The Art of Survival

Give one example each of how Cabeza dealt with thirst and hunger. Stored water in horse legs. Ate a wide range of food to stay alive (rats and spiders)

How can the ability to speak a language save your life? Helps you get directions, find food and water, and make friends

Besides providing warmth, how might Cabeza’s four fires have helped him stay alive? Cross design may have been an effort to seek God’s help. Cabeza was a Spanish

Catholic, and this was a very religious time in Spain. Helped him keep his faith and stay positive.

What is the main idea of this document? How does it explain why Cabeza survived?

Survival depends upon many skills (get fresh water, food, language skills, maintaining hope and faith)

Date Problem Cabeza’s Response

Oct. 1528 Thirst With other raft survivors adrift in the Gulf of Mexico, Cabeza drank water stored in hollowed out horse-leg containers

1529-1532 Periodic hunger As a slave, Cabeza ate what was available, including berries, mollusks, rats, roots, lizards, snakes, and spiders.

1530-1532 Distrust Cabeza befriended his captors and was therefore allowed to serve as a trader among Indian bands living within 150 miles of the Gulf Coast.

1530-1535 Communication Cabeza learned four Indian languages, including Charuccos, plus sign language.

1534 Cold/Despair Lost and completely naked, Cabeza happened on a smoldering tree that had been struck by lightning. He lit a branch in the dying flames and kept the torch burning as he walked. Each night he huddled in a hole that he’d dug and “around that pit placed four fires like the points of a cross.”

Note: In this excerpt from his narrative, Cabeza describes an operation he performed in 1535 on a Native American living near the Rio Nadadores. It is believed to be the first documented surgery done in North America.

What was wrong with the man who was brought to Cabeza? Arrowhead lodged in his chest, just above his heart

What tool did Cabeza use to perform the operation? Knife

What details in the painting are supported by Cabeza’s account of the operation? The Indians accompanying the patient Knife in Cabeza’s hand Blood Patient’s pained expression indicate a deep cut

How does this document help answer the question, “How did Cabeza de Vaca survive? Cabeza and his fellow travelers were apparently quite successful in their healing

practices. A reputation for being great healers might guarantee safe passage across the land.

Note: After nearly seven years of captivity and almost two years spent walking west and south, Cabeza made first contact with “shocked” Spaniards near the Gulf of California. He was with his three fellow surviviors and a following of hundreds of Indians. These Spaniards were on a slave-catching expedition and were spreading great fear among the groups along the Pacific coast. In this passage, Cabeza refers to these soldiers as “the Christians.”

Who were the Christians that Cabeza met near the Gulf of California? Spanish Conquistadors

What were the Spaniards doing when Cabeza met up with them? Trying to catch Indian slaves

How did the Spaniards describe Cabeza and his three friends to the Indians? The Spaniards said that Cabeza was of “no worth” and they, the Spaniards were the real

lords over the Indians.

According to Cabeza, how did the Indians regard him and his friends compared to the Spaniards?

Cabeza was good. Spaniards were bad.

WHAT IS HERNANDO DE SOTO KNOWN FOR?In 1539, another expedition left Spain in search for the Seven Cities of Cibola. De Soto explored parts of present-day Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas. By 1542, he reached the Mississippi River. He turned back in 1542, became ill, and died. His successor, Luis de Moscoso de Alvarado, eventually sailed back to Mexico. The expedition was the 1st major exploration into the interior of North America.

FIRST TIME: Antonio de Mendoza, the viceroy of New Spain, sent Friar Marcos de Niza, Estevanico, and others to confirm Cabeza de Vaca’s story. When they entered the Arizona-New Mexico area, Estevanico was sent ahead as a scout. A cross was going to be the signal Estevanico sent back indicating the size of the city (Large=fabulous; Small=small). A runner came back days later with a large cross. Meanwhile, Zuni warriors had killed Estevanico. Still, Friar Marcos marched on until he saw golden rooftops. He went back to Mendoza and told him what he saw. (It was only the sun reflecting off of the pueblo village. There was no gold.)

SECOND TIME: Mendoza commissioned Francisco Vasquez de Coronado to search for the Seven Cities of Cibola. When he reached the Zuni village of Hawikuh, he only found adobe houses. Not wanting to return without the promised riches, he split his expedition of over 1,300 men. One group went west to New Mexico and became the first Europeans to see the Grand Canyon. Coronado went east to the native village of Tiguex. There, he met a native whom they called “El Turco,” or The Turk. The Turk told them about Quivira, a rich city. They eventually reached Palo Duro Canyon, near present-day Amarillo. Coronado sent most of his men back to Tiguex, and he and 30 of his men continued following the Turk to present-day Kansas. There were no riches. The Turk lied to them, and he was killed. Coronado claimed the land for Spain, but found no gold. Way to Remember: CORo N ado = City Of Riches, Not!!!!!

WHERE WAS THE FIRST SPANISH COLONY ESTABLISHED?

In 1610, Juan de Onate, 400 men, some of their families, a group of priests, and a herd of 7,000 livestock, settled in New Mexico and established the capital city of Santa Fe. His colony differed from groups that had traveled through Texas because his colony included families, which resulted in long-term settlement. Missionaries from Onate’s colony were the first to work among Native Texans. Later missions followed the pattern of the Santa Fe colony.

IN WHAT YEAR WAS THE FIRST TEXAS MISSION ESTABLISHED?

In 1682, the Father Juan de Salas and Spaniards established Corpus Christi de la Ysleta, near present day El Paso. The purpose of this mission was to spread Christianity to Native Americans, and it was a success.

WHERE DID LA SALLE VISIT ON HIS FIRST VOYAGE?

In the winter of 1681-1682, La Salle sledded down the frozen Illinois River to the Mississippi River. Then, he canoed down to the Gulf of Mexico. He reached the mouth of the Mississippi and claimed the river, all the lands it watered, and all its branches for France. He named the territory Louisiana, in honor of King Louis XIV of France.

WHAT LOCATION WAS LA SALLE TRYING TO REACH ON HIS SECOND VOYAGE WHEN HE LANDED ON THE TEXAS COAST?La Salle was looking for the mouth of the Mississippi River.  

WHAT DID LA SALLE AND HIS CREW INTEND TO DO WHEN THEY REACHED THEIR DESTINATION?

La Salle intended to start a colony with his 300 colonists and 100 soldiers. (400 total)

WHERE IN TEXAS DID LA SALLE ESTABLISH A COLONY?

When he could not find the Mississippi River from the Gulf, he came inland to Texas. After his ship ran aground and La Salle lost supplies, he sailed inland on the Lavaca River and established a fort. Fort St. Louis was built near present-day Garcitas Creek in Victoria County. Fort St. Louis was located in southeast Texas, where Spain was exploring.  

WHAT PROBLEMS DID LA SALLE’S EXPEDITION RUN INTO ON THE SECOND VOYAGE?

1) A Spanish buccaneer captured one of the group’s ships in the West Indies.

2) It missed the mouth of the Mississippi River. The river empties into the Gulf of Mexico through a delta, which divides the river into smaller channels.

3) One ship ran aground on a sandbar (ship wrecked) and lost supplies. 4) The Karankawas took many of the group’s supplies which had washed

ashore from the ship wreck. Fighting broke out when the French tried to recover their supplies. Several Frenchmen were killed.

5) Drought ruined their crops.

6) Some colonists grew sick and left the colony.

WHAT HAPPENED TO LA SALLE?By 1686: Only about 45 of the original 400 people were still alive. Most had died from disease or had been killed by the Karankawas.

March 19, 1687: La Salle was shot.

TODAY: The La Salle monument is located in Navasota, Texas. HOW MIGHT HISTORY BE DIFFERENT HAD

LA SALLE NOT LANDED IN TEXAS?Although La Salle’s Texas colony did not survive, France’s presence renewed Spain’s interest in settling Texas. Spain stepped up its efforts to explore and colonize Texas.

Gold Glory God