In Unit 6 we examined the issues and circumstances surrounding European exploration of the New World. These issues included the reasons and motives for exploration, as well as the influential figures that sought fame and fortune by exploring and conquering new lands. Additionally, each notable figure was examined for their successes and failures in achieving their objectives and the impact that their efforts inflicted upon the native populations of the Americas. The following guide should be reviewed in conjunction with other classroom handouts, notes, and presentations to ensure that the student is thoroughly prepared for the upcoming exam.
Christopher Columbus
Nationality: Italian, but he sailed under the flag of the Spanish.
Mission: Find a shorter route to India.
Result: In 1492, Columbus landed on the island chain that we know today as the Bahamas.
Impact of the Expedition: Columbus was a failure because he failed to locate a shorter route to India, but he was a success because his discovery opened up the New World to Europe.
Impact on Texas: Started Spanish exploration in North America (Texas)
Hernan Cortez
Nationality: Spanish
Mission: Defeat native populations and claim new lands for Spain.
Result: In 1521, Cortez defeated Montezuma and the Aztec Empire in present-day Mexico.
Impact of Expedition: Cortez was a success because his mission was to conquer the Aztecs and gain land for Spain, which he did. As a result, Cortez became the first governor of New Spain.
Impact on Texas: Inspired others to explore more territory in North America.
Pineda
Nationality: Spanish
Mission: To find a route through the Americas to the Pacific Ocean and map the coastline.
Result: In 1519, Pineda became the first to observe and map the Texas coastline.
Impact of Expedition: Pineda was a failure for failing to locate a shorter route to the Pacific Ocean from Jamaica, but this really was not his fault because there was no shorter route to be discovered. In any event, Pineda was a success for creating the first coastal map of Texas.
Impact on Texas: Future explores where able to locate Texas with ease and were able to navigate the coastline.
Cabeza de Vaca
Nationality: Spanish
Mission: Cabeza de Vaca was part of a larger expedition to find gold in Florida.
Result: The original expedition ran into a hurricane and Cabeza de Vaca and on other sailor named Estavanico, were shipwrecked on the island Galveston. He lived with the Karankawa tribe for 7 years before leaving to explore Texas and finally make his way to present-day Mexico.
Impact of Expedition: Although Cabeza de Vaca failed in his attempt to locate gold, he was very successful in describing his adventures when he returned. He was the first explorer to encounter the Karankawa tribe, he was the first surgeon in Texas, and he was the first Texas author with Relacion.
Impact on Texas: Cabeza de Vaca wrote in his book that he saw Cibola, one of the fabled Seven Cities of Gold. This account would prompt more Europeans to explore Texas.
Coranado
Nationality: Spanish
Mission: Locate gold or other treasures (Cibola)
Result: He did find the city that he was looking for but it turned out to not be made of gold, but rather dirt and clay.
Impact of Expedition: Failure, Found no gold and established no settlements
Impact on Texas: Told about buffalo, native villages, and Texas land in the Panhandle.
La Salle
Nationality: French
Mission: To locate and explore the mouth of the Mississippi River.
Result: La Salle was lost and ended up in South Texas. Instead of looking for the river, La Salle established Fort St. Louis and claimed Texas for the French. Fort St. Louis lasted two years before La Salle was killed by his own men and then departed.
Impact of Expedition: Failure. La Salle failed to locate the mouth of the Mississippi or claim any land for France.
Impact on Texas: His presence in Texas made the Spanish very paranoid about a French invasion so the Spanish more serious about settling Texas and protecting Texas with the Mission System.
Hernando de Soto
Nationality: Spanish
Mission: To locate gold.
Result: De Soto led an expedition looking for gold in Texas but died shortly after the expedition got underway.
Impact on Texas: Before his death, De Soto became the first European to explore East Texas.