-
Aug 3, 1492
Columbus' first voyage
He was looking for a route to India and trade goods like silk and spices. He discovered the New World and found tobacco and gold and other goods. The king and queen were happy. but Columbus found little gold. This affected the future, because he had proof the Americas existed and the riches he found made the Spanish want to explore North America. -
Nov 1, 1504
Cortes voyage
He sailed from Spanish Cuba to Mexico to find gold, and he conquered the Aztecs and their leader Montezuma. He brought back $6 Million in gold. This was important because he found so much gold that many other people wanted to then explore North and South America. -
Jun 2, 1519
Pineda's Voyage
He tried to find a passage from the gulf to the orient, trying to find a water route to the Pacific Ocean. He was the first to map out the Gulf Coast from Florida to Texas, and might have discovered the Rio Grande River. The map he made of the Gulf Coast influenced others to explore the land along the same area. -
Oct 1, 1528
Cabeza de Vaca Voyage, Part 1
He was the accountant on a Spanish expedition led by Narvez that explored Florida looking for gold. -
Nov 6, 1528
Cabeza de Vaca discovers Texas
After desperate times, there was a huge storm when they were sailing back to Cuba, and they landed in Galveston. 80 soldiers survived and were taken care of for 4 years by the Karankawa tribe. The leader Narvez died. He eventually became a slave to the Indians and then escaped after 8 years and walked through Texas. He also met the Couhiltecans and Jumano Indians while in Texas. -
Jan 1, 1539
Moscoso' expedition
The leader was DeSoto but he died by the fever very quickly. They discovered the Mississippi River. -
Jan 1, 1539
Fray Marcos and Esteban Journey
Catholic priest Fray Marcos and 300 Mexican Indians went exploring with Esteban as their guide. They journeyed to study the land to the North, including Texas and New Mexico. Esteban was the first black man in Texas and was killed by the villagers because he demanded their women and food. Fray Marcos reported that he was a sparkling building in the desert that was part of a golden city. -
Feb 23, 1540
Coronado's Expedition
He searched for the 7 cities of gold and Quivera. His guide was El Turko. When they found Quivera there was nothing. Coronado made Turko dig his grave right then and there and then slaughtered him. He discovered Palo Duro canyon and the Grand Canyon. He reported that Texas was no good and didn’t offer anything so nobody explored Texas for 150 years.
