De Soto’s North American expedition was a vast undertaking. It ranged throughout what is now the southeastern United States, both searching for
gold
, which had been reported by various Native American tribes and earlier coastal explorers, and for a passage to China or the Pacific coast.
What is Hernando de Soto best known for?
Hernando de Soto is most famous for
his exploration of North America
. He led 600 men on a journey through what is now the southeastern United States. They were the first Europeans to explore most of this region. De Soto was sent by the King of Spain to explore and settle La Florida.
Why did Hernando de Soto explore Florida?
Seeking greater glory and riches, de Soto embarked on a major expedition in 1538
to conquer Florida for the Spanish crown
. He and his men traveled nearly 4,000 miles throughout the region that would become the southeastern United States in search of riches, fighting off Native American attacks along the way.
How did Hernando de Soto get to Florida?
The expedition set sail for Florida on the 18th of May 1539, with five large vessels and four smaller ones. On these vessels were de Soto’s army as well as priests, women, horses, mules, war
dogs
, and pigs. On May 25th, they made landfall in the Tampa Bay area. De Soto’s expedition initially landed at Piney Point.
Where did De Soto land in Florida?
In 1539, two years after their departure from Spain, De Soto and his crew landed on the west coast of Florida in the area historians believe is the
location of present day Tampa
.
Where did Spain explore and colonize?
Beginning with the 1492 arrival of Christopher Columbus, the Spanish Empire expanded for four centuries (1492–1892) across most of present-day Central America,
the Caribbean islands, Mexico, and much of the rest of North America
.
Did La Salle meet Indians?
IN
MARCH, 1682
, during his epic voyage of discovery down the Mississippi River, La Salle visited the Natchez Indians near the modern city bearing their name.
Who paid for Hernando de Soto voyage?
A generous patron named
Pedro Arias Dávila
funded de Soto’s education at the University of Salamanca. De Soto’s family hoped he would become a lawyer, but he told his father he would rather explore the West Indies.
What was one of Spain’s main goals when exploring the Americas?
Motivations for colonization: Spain’s colonization goals were to
extract gold and silver from the Americas
, to stimulate the Spanish economy and make Spain a more powerful country. Spain also aimed to convert Native Americans to Christianity.
Where is De Soto buried?
Hernando de Soto died after contracting a fever in May of 1542 in a Native American village located in modern-day Arkansas. His men buried him
in the Mississippi River
in the middle of the night after he passed.
What native tribes did de Soto encounter?
This area was the chief town in the territory of
the Apalachee Indians, called Anhayca
. These natives constantly attacked de Soto and his men throughout the duration of the Europeans’ stay in their territory.
Was Hernando de Soto good or bad?
He
certainly was brave
and he may have been gallant according to the 16th century definition of the word. But, he certainly was neither benevolent nor kind. Not if old Spanish writers can be believed. Said one of them: ‘DeSoto was fond of the sport of killing Indians.
Who was the first to explore Florida?
Written records about life in Florida began with the arrival of the Spanish explorer and adventurer
Juan Ponce de León
in 1513.
Why did Spain become interested in exploring America?
You might wander why did Spain and Portugal want to explore the Americas in the first place. … Spain was Catholic, so that is the version of Christianity they
wanted to spread
. This attitude of ethnocentrism made the Spanish feel like they were doing no wrong by converting Native Americans.
How did De Soto treat the Indians in Georgia?
De Soto and his men, upon finding such villages, often used
violent methods to commandeer their food stores and other resources
that were needed to supply their army. They were not concerned with leaving the natives whose food they consumed with enough provisions to continue feeding their own populations.
What country did Balboa explore for?
In 1513, while leading an expedition in search of gold, he sighted the Pacific Ocean. Balboa claimed the ocean and all of its shores for
Spain
, opening the way for later Spanish exploration and conquest along the western coast of South America.
