EXPLORERS IN EXPLORERS IN OKLAHOMAOKLAHOMA

SPAINSPAIN

1540-1700…area was just another 1540-1700…area was just another territory of New Spain…territory of New Spain…

SPAINSPAIN

1539—Francisco Vazquez de Coronado 1539—Francisco Vazquez de Coronado Governor of Nueva GaliciaGovernor of Nueva Galicia Searched for Seven Cities of CibolaSearched for Seven Cities of Cibola Travelled through OklahomaTravelled through Oklahoma

Met Wichita (Quivira)Met Wichita (Quivira) Observed ApacheObserved Apache

SPAINSPAIN

1541—Hernando de Soto1541—Hernando de Soto Started trip in CubaStarted trip in Cuba Travelled Mississippi and Travelled Mississippi and

Arkansas RiversArkansas Rivers Established Spanish flag Established Spanish flag

over Oklahomaover Oklahoma

SPAINSPAIN

The Spanish soughtThe Spanish sought TREASURE (Gold)TREASURE (Gold)

The Spanish left behindThe Spanish left behind Religion (God)Religion (God) HORSESHORSES DISEASEDISEASE

FRANCEFRANCE

1682—René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de 1682—René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle La Salle Claimed Mississippi watershed for FranceClaimed Mississippi watershed for France Included OklahomaIncluded Oklahoma Named the area “Louisiana”Named the area “Louisiana”

after Louis XIVafter Louis XIV

FRANCEFRANCE

1718—Jean-Baptiste Benard de la Harpe1718—Jean-Baptiste Benard de la Harpe Met WichitaMet Wichita Established trading post on the Red RiverEstablished trading post on the Red River

French traders French traders Settled easily with Native AmericansSettled easily with Native Americans Intermarried frequentlyIntermarried frequently Established Oklahoma’s first industry—the Established Oklahoma’s first industry—the

fur tradefur trade

FRANCEFRANCE

The French soughtThe French sought Wealth through tradeWealth through trade

The French left behindThe French left behind Dependence on trade goodsDependence on trade goods Place names Place names

UNITED STATESUNITED STATES

Purchased Louisiana Territory from Purchased Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million (5 ½ cents/sq mi; France for $15 million (5 ½ cents/sq mi; today about $450 billion)today about $450 billion)

Set up forts to protect border with New Set up forts to protect border with New Spain Spain

Sought Sought

FRONTIERFRONTIER

UNITED STATESUNITED STATES

1804—Lewis and Clark1804—Lewis and Clark Explored northern/western parts of Explored northern/western parts of

Louisiana TerritoryLouisiana Territory Focused attention AWAY from southern part Focused attention AWAY from southern part

of Louisiana Territoryof Louisiana Territory

UNITED STATESUNITED STATES

1806—Zebulon Pike1806—Zebulon Pike Sent to chart the Arkansas and Red RiversSent to chart the Arkansas and Red Rivers Wandered into New SpainWandered into New Spain Arrested/imprisonedArrested/imprisoned Reported on a “great American desert” in the Reported on a “great American desert” in the

SouthwestSouthwest

UNITED STATESUNITED STATES

1820—Stephen Long1820—Stephen Long Sent to explore/chart riversSent to explore/chart rivers 11stst scientific survey of the region scientific survey of the region Labeled his maps of OK with Labeled his maps of OK with

the term “Great American the term “Great American

Desert”Desert”

EXPLORERS IN EXPLORERS IN OKLAHOMAOKLAHOMA