European ExplorersEuropean Explorers

FMS - Texas HistoryFMS - Texas History

Christopher ColumbusChristopher Columbus•Sponsored by Spain’s to find a

shorter route to China•Landed in Bahamas Oct 12, 1492•Spain sponsored 4 voyages

between 1492 – 1504•Lost sponsorship when he began

abusing the natives

Alonzo Alvarez de PinedaAlonzo Alvarez de Pineda•Led expedition to map

coastline of Gulf of Mexico & established Spanish colony in 1519

•1st European expedition to observe the Texas coast

•Pineda settled near present-day Mexican city of Tampico

Hernan CortesHernan Cortes

•Spaniard commissioned by Governor of Cuba to explore N. Amer. continent in 1519

•Conquered Emperor Moctezuma– Claimed Mexico for “New” Spain– Renamed Tenochtitlan –Mexico City

Moctezuma

Panfilo de NarvaezPanfilo de Narvaez•Granted land of Florida by Spain

along with permission to conquer lands between Florida & Mexico

•His 400-man expedition capsized in Gulf of Mex. during a storm; 80 survivors beached at Galveston Bay

•1st Europeans to set foot in Texas

•Assisted by Karankawas upon arrival in Texas

Panfilo de Narvaez Panfilo de Narvaez ExpeditionExpedition

Alvar Nunez CabezaAlvar Nunez Cabezade Vacade Vaca

•Assisted by Karankawas, survived Narvaez expedition

•Natives told him about 7 Cities of Gold (Cibola)

•1st Euro. To explore interior of Texas looking for Ciboloa

•Went across Tx to Mex. City•Told Spain about Cibola

Francisco VasquezFrancisco Vasquez de Coronado de Coronado

•Came to Texas specifically looking for 7 Cities of Gold (Cibola) … never found it

•A member of his group (Fernandez) even traveled as far as the Grand Canyon

•Saw buffalo and thought they were cows

Hernando de SotoHernando de Soto•Led 2nd expedition to Texas specifically looking for Cibola

•1st European to explore interior of U.S vs. just Florida area to Texas

•Never found Cibola

Rene-Robert CavelierRene-Robert CavelierSieur de LaSalleSieur de LaSalle

• Claimed Louisiana, to include Miss. River area for France

• Established Ft St Louis near present day Corpus Christi

• Most of his expedition died from fights w/ Karankawas

• His fort was over run by Indians

Spanish ExplorersSpanish Explorers

1. Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda2. Hernan Cortes3. Panfilo de Narvaez4. Cabeza de Vaca5. Francisco de Coronado6. Hernado de Soto