Early Explorers Early Explorers First Steps in a New LandFirst Steps in a New Land

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How did the Natives get to How did the Natives get to America?America?

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Bering Strait

Columbus Sights a New Columbus Sights a New World World After sailing for 33 days, After sailing for 33 days,

Christopher Columbus spotted several Christopher Columbus spotted several islands in the Caribbean Sea. (1492)islands in the Caribbean Sea. (1492)

While searching for a new route to While searching for a new route to Asia, Columbus had reached a new Asia, Columbus had reached a new continent unknown in Europe.continent unknown in Europe.

Columbus was an Italian, sailing Columbus was an Italian, sailing under the flag of Spain. under the flag of Spain.

In the years following the first In the years following the first voyage, Spain established an empire voyage, Spain established an empire in what came to be known as America.in what came to be known as America.

New SpainNew Spain Spanish soldiers, Spanish soldiers, conquistadorsconquistadors, , sought riches and power for themselves sought riches and power for themselves and wealth and glory for Spain. and wealth and glory for Spain. 3G’s- 3G’s- God, Gold, and GloryGod, Gold, and Glory

The conquistadors made it possible for The conquistadors made it possible for others to follow after them and build others to follow after them and build towns, lay roads, open mines, and towns, lay roads, open mines, and develop farms and ranches.develop farms and ranches.

FriarsFriars, members of Catholic religious , members of Catholic religious orders, helped convert Native orders, helped convert Native Americans to the Catholic faith.Americans to the Catholic faith.

Friars established religious outposts Friars established religious outposts called called missionsmissions. .

Cortes Lands in MexicoCortes Lands in Mexico In In 15191519, Hernan Cortes sailed from Cuba , Hernan Cortes sailed from Cuba and landed on the eastern coast of and landed on the eastern coast of Mexico.Mexico.

On his way to the capital, On his way to the capital, TenochtitlanTenochtitlan, , Cortes persuaded thousands of suppressed Cortes persuaded thousands of suppressed Native Americans (Aztecs) to rebel Native Americans (Aztecs) to rebel against their ruler. against their ruler.

At first the Aztecs welcomed Cortes At first the Aztecs welcomed Cortes because they believed he was their because they believed he was their legendary god Quetzalcoatl.legendary god Quetzalcoatl.

To control the city, Cortes took the To control the city, Cortes took the emperor, emperor, MoctezumaMoctezuma, hostage., hostage.

The Aztecs rebelled and killed Moctezuma.The Aztecs rebelled and killed Moctezuma.

Cortes Lands in MexicoCortes Lands in Mexico Cortes and his forces tore down Cortes and his forces tore down Tenochtitlan and built a new city Tenochtitlan and built a new city named Mexico, after the Aztec named Mexico, after the Aztec name for themselves.name for themselves.

Mexico CityMexico City became the capital for New became the capital for New Spain.Spain.

The success of Cortes inspired The success of Cortes inspired other Spaniards to come to the other Spaniards to come to the Americas in search of treasure, Americas in search of treasure, adventure, or to spread the adventure, or to spread the Catholic faith among the Native Catholic faith among the Native Americans.Americans.

Alvarez de Pineda Explores Alvarez de Pineda Explores TexasTexas

In In 15191519, Alonso Alvarez de , Alonso Alvarez de Pineda became the Pineda became the first first European to explore the Texas European to explore the Texas coastcoast. .

He sailed along the He sailed along the

uncharted coastline uncharted coastline

from Florida to from Florida to

Mexico, he observed Mexico, he observed

and mapped the land. and mapped the land.

Shipwrecked in TexasShipwrecked in Texas Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca was part of Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca was part of an expedition to conquer the area an expedition to conquer the area between Florida and Mexico in 1527. between Florida and Mexico in 1527.

The expedition failed and a storm The expedition failed and a storm grounded Cabeza de Vaca on an island grounded Cabeza de Vaca on an island near present-day Galveston. He called near present-day Galveston. He called the island the island MalhadoMalhado, the isle of , the isle of misfortune. misfortune.

The Karankawas, who lived on the coast, The Karankawas, who lived on the coast, built fires and brought food to the built fires and brought food to the starving explorers.starving explorers.

Within a few months, however, most of Within a few months, however, most of the explorers and many Native Americans the explorers and many Native Americans had died of had died of diseasesdiseases..

Shipwrecked in TexasShipwrecked in Texas In time, In time, Native Americans would Native Americans would associate Europeans with diseaseassociate Europeans with disease and find both unwelcome.and find both unwelcome.

Cabeza de Vaca survived by adopting Cabeza de Vaca survived by adopting the ways of the Karankawas.the ways of the Karankawas.

He became highly regarded as a He became highly regarded as a shamanshaman, or healer. , or healer.

One of his companions, One of his companions, EstevanicoEstevanico, , from Morocco, became the first from Morocco, became the first known black man to enter Texas.known black man to enter Texas.