Cabeza De Vaca

The Age of Discovery Spanish and Portuguese Empire in

North and South America

The Age of Discovery

The expansion of Spain and Portugal Conquistadors found new trade routes Columbus discovered America in 1492 Colonization of America Many conquistadors explored the New

World: America

Spanish Explorations

Cabeza de Vaca

Born in Jerez, Spain, 1492 Raised in a noble family His grandfather was a conquistador Cabeza De Vaca means “cow’s head” Died in Sevilla, 1559

The Fleet

Fleet included

– Five ships of 600 men

– Officers

• Cabeza de Vaca Treasurer and High Sheriff

• Alonzo Enriquez, Alonzo de Solis, Juan Xuarez

The Journey Hispaniola for one month Santiago, Cuba, and then

Trinidad West coast of Florida near

Tampa Bay North to explore with small

amounts of biscuits and bacon to eat; ran out of food

By the end of the summer, 100 had died from disease, starvation or Indian attack

Disasters

Decided to go to Cuba. Men made 5 rafts on which they sailed

west, hoping to reach a Spanish settlement in Mexico. – Three rafts sank– Two surviving rafts (carrying 80 men) landed at

Galveston Island (off what is now Texas) in fall of 1528

Galveston

Only 15 men survived the cold winter. Traveled west, walking along the Colorado

River. By 1533, there were only 4 survivors

(including Cabeza de Vaca )– Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca– Estevanico – a slave from North Africa– Alonzo del Castillo Maldonado– Andres Dorantes de Carranza

Cabeza de Vaca’s Company

Was enslaved by some Indian tribes along the way– Helped by others

These 4 men were the first non-natives to travel in southwestern North America.

Reached the Spanish settlement of Culiacan in early 1536

Mexico City

Later that year they reached Mexico City, where they were welcomed by the Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza.

After serving as a Mexican territorial governor, Cabeza de Vaca returned to Spain in 1537.

In 1536 travels to Mexico City and welcomed by Hernan Cortes. Cabeza de Vaca was angered by the mistreatment of the Native Americans at the hands of the Spanish.

In 1537 returns home to Spain and to write about his experiences.– Noted the appalling treatment of Indians by the Spanish

In 1540 appointed governor of the LaPlata regions in Argentina.

Later Timeline

Return to Spain In 1542 book published . In 1543 introduces a plan of fair

treatment of the Natives; men rebel against him.

Held prisoner until 1544 when returns to Spain.

Cabeza de Vaca accused of abusing power (1544)

Loses office of Governor of Argentina.

♦ Book about experiences in South America the inspiration of Hernando De Soto and Francisco Vasquez de Coronado.

♦ Sentenced to live out the rest of his days in exile in North Africa; Emperor Charles V rescinded the order and Cabeza de Vaca was able to return to Spain.

Died from illness in 1559.

End Days

Works Cited♦ Bannon, John Francis. “Cabeza de Vaca, Alvar Nunez.” Encyclopedia

Americana. 2007. Grolier Online. 30 Nov. 2007 <http://ea.grolier.com>.

♦ “Cabeza de Vaca.” Elizabethan Era. 30 Nov. 2007. <http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/cabeza-de-vaca.htm>.

♦ “Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca.” America the Beautiful. 2007. Grolier Online. 30 Nov. 2007 <http://atb.grolier.com/>.

♦ Smith, Buckingham. Relation of Nunez Cabeza de Vaca. New York: University Microfilms, 1871.

♦ Mitchell, J. Leslie. Earth Conquerors. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1934.

♦ Cabeza de Vaca Explorations, 1528-36. Map. Encyclopedia Americana. Ed. Grolier Online. 29 Nov. 2007 <http://ea.grolier.com>.

♦ Cabeza de Vaca. America the Beautiful. Scholastic Lib. 29 Nov. 2007 <http://atb.grolier.com/>.

♦ Cabeza de Vaca. 29 Nov. 2007< http://www.ecai.org/na-missions/image049.jpg>.