Who Was Hernando de Soto? In the early 1530s, while on Francisco Pizarro’s expedition, Hernando de Soto helped conquer Peru. In 1539 he set out for North America, where he discovered the Mississippi River . De Soto died of fever on May 21, 1542, in Ferriday, Louisiana.
What was Hernando de Soto searching for did he find it?
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.
What did Hernando de Soto discover or explore?
1496/97, Jerez de los Caballeros, Badajoz, Spain—died May 21, 1542, along the Mississippi River [in present-day Louisiana, U.S.]), Spanish explorer and conquistador who participated in the conquests of Central America and Peru and, in the course of exploring what was to become the southeastern United States, discovered ...
What states did Hernando de Soto discover?
They went to a total of ten states that exist today, including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana . De Soto and his men were the first Europeans to reach and cross the Mississippi River.
What did Hernando de Soto Discover 1541?
This engraving depicts Hernando de Soto’s discovery of the Mississippi River at a point below Natchez on May 8, 1541. De Soto (1500–1542) was the first European to document the river. The image shows him and his men approaching the river and a group of Native Americans camped there.
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.
How did Hernando de Soto impact the Native Americans?
De Soto’s journey had a significant impact on the Native Americans of North America. He and his men were the first contact the majority of these tribes living in the interior had with Europeans , and they brought more than violence with them.
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 .
What country sponsored Magellan’s trips What shortcut was he trying to find?
What country sponsored Magellan’s trips What shortcut was he trying to find? Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan sets sail from Spain in an effort to find a western sea route to the rich Spice Islands of Indonesia .
Why did Spain want to explore and colonize North America?
The conquistadors came to conquer new territories for power and riches . They overthrew the Inca and the Aztecs, plus a host of less-advanced civilizations. Spanish settlers came to make a fortune and return to Spain, not to stay in a new home.
Who discovered the Mississippi River?
The Basics
It shows Spanish conquistador and explorer Hernando De Soto (1500–1542), riding a white horse and dressed in Renaissance finery, arriving at the Mississippi River at a point below Natchez on May 8, 1541. De Soto was the first European documented to have seen the river.
How long was Hernando de Soto’s voyage?
Hernando de Soto’s expedition of La Florida lasted four years , from 1539-1543. He and his men explored over 4,000 miles of territory within ten modern U.S. states searching for riches and an ideal location to create a Spanish settlement.
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.
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.
Who discovered the New World?
Explorer Christopher Columbus (1451–1506) is known for his 1492 ‘discovery’ of the New World of the Americas on board his ship Santa Maria.
Who claimed Florida for Spain?
Near present-day St. Augustine, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León comes ashore on the Florida coast, and claims the territory for the Spanish crown. Native Americans inhabited the area that became known as Florida for thousands of years before any European contact.
