Spanish Exploration

Columbus' First Voyage

Aug 3, 1492

Columbus departed Spain to find an all water route to Asia. The current path over land was long and had many dangers. He thought if he sailed west across the ocean, it would create a short cut. It is important in history because he actually discovered America while looking for this short cut.

Pineda's Voyage

Jun 24, 1519

He led an expedition that discovered the boundaries of the Gulf of Mexico. He found that Florida is a peninsula and not an island. He was also the first European to see the coastal areas of Western Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. This area he called Amichel. He found Corpus Christi and led to further Spanish exploration of Texas.

Cortes' Voyage

Oct 24, 1519

Cortes wanted to conquer land in the New World for Spain. Cortes overthrew ruler Montezuma and conquered the Aztecs in Tenochitilán in 1519. He sent expeditions into what is now Honduras. He also built Mexico City.

DeVaca Voyage Part 1

Jun 24, 1527

Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca was second in command of an expedition led by Panfilo de Narváez, who wanted to claim the territory from Florida to Mexico for Spain. They lost many due to illness, starvation, shipwrecks and Indian attacks, including his leader. He stumbled upon Galveston Island by accident and called it the Island of Misfortune.

DeVaca Discovers Texas

Oct 24, 1528

He stumbled upon Texas by accident after he left his expedition of Florida. He was here for four years. While here, he met the Karankawa Indians, who enslaved him for almost two years, He won their respect and was freed from them.

Friar Marcos and Esteban Journey

Oct 24, 1539

Friar Marcos was the first explorer to report the Seven Cities of Cibola. He was sent North from Mexico City to discover wealthy new cities near New Spain. . Esteban was an enslaved North African. By prior agreement, Esteban traveled several days ahead of Fray Marcos, leaving behind him a trail of crosses of different sizes depending on his findings. Esteban was killed by the Zuni's in Hawikuh for entering the village after they warned him not to.

De soto and moscoso

Oct 25, 1539

They explored from Florida to East Texas , he agreed to not go to Texas (didn't go back to Texas for 150 years) , they were very cruel to the Indians.

Coronado's Expedition

Sep 22, 1540

He searched for Cibola and Quivira. His guide was Antonio de Mendoza. He went in search for the 7 city's of gold, he explored 5 states looking for it , he was unsuccessful.He reported do not go to Texas.