Spanish Exploration

Columbus's first voyage

Aug 3, 1492

Christopher Columbus set out on a voyage to find a west water route to India. He brought back small amounts of gold, native birds, and plants. This is important because he started the Spanish exploring in North America because of the riches he found.

Pineda voyage

Jun 24, 1517

Alonso Alvarez de Pineda sailed from Jamaica to Florida, along the gulf, and possibly to the Rio Grande. This is important because his map led others to explore the gulf coast.

Cortes voyage

Aug 21, 1521

Cortes conquered the Aztec empire in the city of Tenochtitlan, and looted the gold. This is important because he made people interested in exploring North and South America because he found so much gold.

DeVaca voyage part 1 start day

Jan 1, 1528

Cabeza de Vaca's original leader was Narvez. His purpose of the expedition was to search for gold in Florida with leader Narvez.

DeVaca discovers Texas

Jun 1, 1529

Cabeza de Vaca discovers Texas by an accidental crash landing on Galveston Island. DeVaca was there and lived with the indians from 1529 to 1534. He met the Karankawas.

Fray Marcos and Esteban Journey

Mar 25, 1539

The purpose of the journey was to study the land. Esteban was killed by Indians because he demanded their women. Fray Marcos reported seeing the seven cities of gold.

Coronado's Expedition

Jan 1, 1540

Coronado searched for the seven cities of gold and Quivera on the second part of the expedition. Coronado's guide on the second journey was El Turko, Coronado killed him by strangling him. He discovered The Palo Duro Canyon in Texas and the Grand Canyon in Arizona. He reported to not to go Texas, that the land offered nothing for the Spanish, no gold, harsh land, and difficult Indians.

Moscoso's Expedition

Oct 1, 1542

De Soto was the leader, but Moscoso took over him after De Soto's death. He reported the same thing that Coronado did, and Spain would not return for 150 years because of the reports.