European ExplorationEuropean Exploration Chapter 5

Christopher ColumbusChristopher Columbus• 1492• Tried to reach Asia by sailing West• Discovered Americas• Thought he had landed in East Indies really landed in present day San Salvador

Spain 1519 - 1685Spain 1519 - 1685

Alonzo Alvarez de PiñedaAlonzo Alvarez de Piñeda• 1519• Sent to map the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico and establish a colony• First European to observe the Texas Coast• Claimed Texas for Spain

Hernán CortésHernán Cortés• 1519• Sent to explore continent and report on riches• Met Aztecs and found large amounts of gold• Attacked and defeated the Aztec (Conquistador)• Renamed Aztec capital Mexico City

Pánfilo de NarváezPánfilo de Narváez• 1526• Sent to conquer land between Florida and Mexico• Expedition failed• On return from Florida most of the men including Narváez drowned in a hurricane• A few washed ashore on Galveston Island

Álvar Núñez Cabeza de VacaÁlvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca• 1528 - 1536• Member of Narvaéz Expedition that survived storm when he washed ashore on Galveston Island• Met Karankawa Indians• Escaped with 3 others and searched for a way back to Mexico• First European to explore Texas• Reported rumors of Cíbola, the Seven Cities of Gold

EstevanicoEstevanico• 1528 - 1536 and 1538• Member of Narvaéz, Cabeza de Vaca, and Friar Marcos expeditions• Served as a guide and translator• First African to explore Texas

Friar Marcos de NizaFriar Marcos de Niza• 1538• Sent to find Cíbola the Seven Cities of Gold• Saw sun reflecting off pueblo village and mistook it for gold• Traveled back and reported seeing the city of Cíbola

Francisco Vásquez de CoronadoFrancisco Vásquez de Coronado• 1540• Sent to conquer the city of Cíbola• Found no gold• Explored the Texas Panhandle• Discovered Palo Duro Canyon

Coronado ExpeditionCoronado Expedition

Hernando de SotoHernando de Soto• 1539• Sent to search for Cíbola from Florida• Explored much of Southeastern US• Found no gold• Discovered Mississippi River and died shortly afterward

Luis de Moscoso de AlvaradoLuis de Moscoso de Alvarado

• 1542• Took over when De Soto died• Explored East Texas• Found no gold• Returned to Mexico

Juan de OñateJuan de Oñate• 1598• Sent to establish a Spanish colony in northern frontier• Established Santa Fe in New Mexico• Later moved south and established first Texas Mission; Corpus Christi de la Ysleta

France 1685 - 1690France 1685 - 1690

René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La SalleRené-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle

• 1685• Sent by King of France to establish French colony at the mouth of Mississippi River• Landed in Texas by mistake• Built Fort St Louis• Killed by his own men