(1500?-1542)

Why is De Soto Famous?

Hernando De Soto (1500?-1542) was a Spanish explorer who sailed the Atlantic Ocean and was the first European to explore Florida and the southeastern US.

Hernando De Soto(1536 to 1537)

De Soto brought Spaniards, dogs and horses with him.

De Soto returned to Spain in 1536, was granted the rights to conquer Florida and was named governor of Cuba in 1537.

This is an early 1500’s map of Florida and Cuba.

European Explorer ShipsEuropean Explorer Ships

These ships were used by Spanish Explorers.

What else did De Soto Do?

The Spanish The Spanish Conquistador,Conquistador, Francisco Pizarro, Francisco Pizarro, hired de Soto to go on hired de Soto to go on an expedition to Peru an expedition to Peru (1531-1532). During (1531-1532). During this expedition they this expedition they met and killed met and killed Atahualpa, the ruler Atahualpa, the ruler of the Incas, and of the Incas, and conquered the Incan conquered the Incan empire.empire. De Soto De Soto became extremely became extremely rich!rich!

Francisco Pizarro Hernando De Soto

Pizarro and De Soto conquering the Incan Empire

De Soto (1539)De Soto (1539)In May 1539, de Soto and his expedition of 570 men and In May 1539, de Soto and his expedition of 570 men and women arrived near present-day Tampa. His exact route women arrived near present-day Tampa. His exact route is unknown, but his party became the first Europeans to is unknown, but his party became the first Europeans to penetrate the Southeast during a remarkable trek penetrate the Southeast during a remarkable trek through what is now Florida, central Georgia, the through what is now Florida, central Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Carolinas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas. They were looking for gold and silver.Arkansas. They were looking for gold and silver.

What happened to Hernando De Soto?

In the spring of 1541, De Soto traveled due north through Kentucky and Indiana: his scouts went as far as Chicago. Finding no gold or silver, De Soto retreated southwestward through Illinois, Missouri then into Arkansas for winter. On May 21, 1542, he died at Lake Village, Arkansas. His body was placed in the Mississippi River. His army fled to Mexico.

Drawings made by European Drawings made by European ExplorersExplorers

New World Maps Were Made

and Shared in Europe.

The glass window in a New World Church - 1580

Native American Village

Color Plates of the New Color Plates of the New World from World from Theodore de Theodore de BryBry

Spanish Conquistadors

Native American Slaves working for Spaniards.

Hernando De Soto Hernando De Soto ReviewReviewQuestion: What is De Soto famous for?Question: What is De Soto famous for?Answer: He was the first European to explore Florida and SE U.S.Answer: He was the first European to explore Florida and SE U.S.

Question: De Soto was governor of ?Question: De Soto was governor of ?Answer: CubaAnswer: Cuba

Question: What did Pizarro and De Soto do in Peru that made them Question: What did Pizarro and De Soto do in Peru that made them extremely wealthy?extremely wealthy?

Answer: They conquerored the Incan Empire.Answer: They conquerored the Incan Empire.

Question: After De Soto became governor, he took a group of Question: After De Soto became governor, he took a group of Spaniards on an expedition through the SE U.S. What were they Spaniards on an expedition through the SE U.S. What were they looking for?looking for?

Answer: gold and silverAnswer: gold and silver