Transcript Chapter 4
Chapter 4 Early Explorers Spanish Conquistadors and the French Columbus’ Voyage • 1492 discovered America • Revisited 3 times • Set up permanent colony in West Indies – This allowed Spaniards to further explore the American mainland Goals of the Conquistadors • Conquistador: Spanish soldiers – To bring religion to non-believers – To obtain wealth and glory – To find the legendary seven cities of Cibola • Defeated Native Americans • Strengthened Spanish claims – Made it possible for others to follow after them to build towns/roads and develop farms/ranches – Friars were members of Catholic religious orders • Entered lands • Established religious outposts called missions • Usually they were the first Spanish settlements in areas Hernan Cortes • February 1519 • Headed inland toward Tenochtitlan • Aztecs believed he was Quetzalcoatl, their legendary god • Took Moctezuma, their emperor, hostage • Aztecs rebelled and killed Moctezuma – Advantages of Cortes: horses, weapons and allies (disgruntled enemies of Aztecs) • Tore down Tenochtitlan and plundered the city’s treasure • Built a new city named Mexico Spain’s continued growth south • Spain controlled all the land of present day Mexico • Then spread in Central and South America • The explorers carried common childhood disease which the Indians were not immune to causing so many to die • Spanish completed their quest of Central and South America in a matter of years Viceroyalty - land that is ruled by an official chosen by a monarch Viceroy - the official who rules that land Alonso Alvarez de Pineda • 1519 • First European to explore Texas coast • Sailed along uncharted coastline from Florida to Mexico • Mapped the land • Reported his finding to governor of Jamaica • Returned to Mexico to begin a settlement • Died following year in a Native American uprising. Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca • 1527 • Sent to conquer area between Florida and Mexico • The Narvaez Disaster – Expedition led by Panfilo de Narvaez failed – Built five ships to sail to Mexico – Caught in storm, landed in current Galveston – Named island Malhada, isle of misfortune Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca • Cabeza de Vaca one of few survivors who gained reputations as powerful shamans. – – – – Karankawas were kind enough to give them food and shelter Most explorers died within a few months Later Karankawas affected by death and disease They blamed explorers. • Cabeza de Vaca and Estevanico (first known black man to enter Texas) adopted ways of the Krankawas in order to survive • This allowed them to travel west toward Mexico • 1536, they reached Culiacan, Mexico shaman – medicine man Cabeza de Vaca’s Relacion • His account of his time in Texas • It hinted of cities with magnificent houses and lands rich with copper, emeralds, and turquoise • Suggests expeditions be sent to search for treasures Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza • He selected Fray Marcos de Niza to lead an expedition – Estevanico accompanied Fray Marcos as a guide and to ensure the friendship of Native Americans – 1539, they moved northward – Estevanico rode ahead and returned with news of Cibola • An area with seven cities rich in gold, silver, and precious gems – Later Estevanico rode ahead but was killed by Zuni Indians when he ventured onto their land – Fray Marcos turned back and reports that he saw Cibola from a distance Francisco Vazquez de Coronado • The Viceroy Mendoza, with Marcos’ report, decided to send a full-scale expedition – More than 300 soldiers and several hundred Native Americans – Led by Francisco Vazquez de Coronado – Fray Marcos accompanied them • 5 months later, they find Cibola and the truth Coronado’s aspirations • He still believed that treasure must lie somewhere • He divided his forces – One traveled west and reached the Grand Canyon before returning to main camp – His traveled east and met a Native American they named Turk • Turk told of a fabulous place called Quivira – Coronado decided to investigate and set out in the spring of 1541 with Turk – They found beautiful land with promising soil but no gold or metal so he put Turk to death – He claimed the Wichita country for the King of Spain and headed back – The Viceroy was disappointed Other Explorers • Hernando de Soto 1539 – Landed in Florida – Moved westward and reached Mississippi River in 1541, died • Luis de Moscoso Alvarado led expedition further west. – The Caddos they met greeted them by saying “Tayyas” meaning friends which is how Texas got its name. – Found no riches, returned to Mississippi – Built boats and sailed along coast to Mexico and discovered petroleum. Loss of interest • No riches like those in Mexico were found in Texas so interests dwindled • Few attempts made to build settlements, towns instead • 1609, permanent colony was set up on the Rio Grande named New Mexico – Expeditions sent out from there to explore surrounding area – Trades with Jumano and other Native Americans • The Legend of the Lady in Blue • A Spanish nun who claimed that her spirit made 500 trips from 1620 – 1631 all without physically leaving Spain • Natives told stories of having been taught by the Lady in Blue La Salle • In search of the Northwest Passage – A water route that would provide a shortcut to Asia • Claimed all the land that drained into the Mississippi River for France – Named it Louisiana after French King Louis XIV • Because France and Spain were at war – He wanted to establish a base for an attack on Mexico – This would also allow him to expand his trade empire • 1684, he set sail from France in hopes of building Fort St Louis near the mouth of the Mississippi, but he faced many problems: • La Salle was difficult to get along with and argued with his naval officers. • Pirates and shipwrecks plagued the expedition. • The Spaniards captured one of his four ships. La Salle lost crew members and supplies. • La Salle’s crew missed the Mississippi River. They landed instead at present-day Matagorda Bay. Fort St Louis • Harsh living conditions made many explorers sick. • The French had hostile relations with the local tribe, the Karankawas. • During La Salle’s search for a safer location for the fort, his men staged a mutiny a revolt of soldiers or sailors against their leaders • They murdered La Salle in 1687. Fort St Louis Destroyed and Spain reacts • The Karankawas attacked the vulnerable fort – Killed majority of men, others ran away – Took remaining 5 settlers captive • When the Spanish learned about La Salle’s arrival in their territory: – – – – They set out to find the French intruders. It took them a year to find La Salle’s fort. The fort was deserted. The Spanish realized that they would need to pay more attention to Texas if they wanted to control it.