Early Explorers Willis High School早期探险家威利斯高中.pptVIP

Early Explorers First Steps in a New Land * Columbus Sights a New World Lands Caribbean island October 1492 Italian sailing under Spanish flag Spain claims most of S. America, Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, part of present-day U.S. Columbus returned to Americas 3 times * New Spain Conquistadors – Spanish soldiers seeking gold and glory for themselves Built towns, laid out roads, opened mines, developed farms/ranches Friars – Catholic priests Convert natives to Catholic faith; established missions (religious settlements) * Cortés Lands in Mexico Feb 1519 – Hernan Cortés sails from Cuba to Mexico with 500 soldiers Aztecs welcomed Cortés – believed he was a god (Quetzalcoatl) Aztec capital city (Tenochtitlán) – palaces, zoos, gold, silver Spanish imprisoned killed Aztec leader (Moctezuma) then torn down capital and took treasures – rebuilt and renamed Mexico City Because of treasures, other Spanish are inspired * álvarez de Pineda Explores Texas 1519 – Alonso álvarez de Pineda becomes 1st European to explore Texas coast Sailed from Florida to Mexico Stopped at mouth of Río de las Palmas (Rio Grande) Died in 1520 in Native American uprising in Mexico * Shipwrecked in Texas 1527 – Alvar Nu?ez Cabeza de Vaca sailed from Florida for glory and gold Shipwrecked on Galveston Island (Malhado – isle of misfortune) Karankawas help out but most Spanish died from disease and exposure to elements Cabeza de Vaca Estevanico (1st black man in Tex.) adopt ways of Karankawas and become shamans Traveled throughout Texas and learned much about surrounding geography In Texas for nearly 6 years * Early Explorers The Spanish Explore Texas * The Quest for Gold Cabeza de Vaca had heard stories of riches of copper, emeralds, and turquoise Cabeza de Vaca describes adventure Huge herds of “cows” with small horns Vast and handsome land Very Fertile Spaniards inspired to send treasure-seeking expeditions * Where did Cabeza de Vaca probably get his ideas about riches in Texas? From Native