When we began our story, we explored the beautiful and varied GEOGRAPHY of Texas
But the Indians Were So Happy…
Piney Woods
Gulf Coast Plains South
Texas Plains
Rolling Plains
High Plains
Edwards Plateau
Mountains & Basins Llano
Basin
Then, we added some PEOPLE in Texas and looked at how these people ADAPTED to their GEOGRAPHY (environment)
Now… it’s time to see what happens when people from ANOTHER WORLD discover the area that would become TEXAS
These new people in the New World came from three countries: Spain, France, and England
New World vs. Old World
France
England mostly claimed the East Coast of North America
France mostly claimed what would become the Midwestern U.S. and Louisiana
Spain mostly claimed what would be Mexico, California , Florida and TEXAS
SPAIN
FRANCE
Gold – Rumors of GOLD – made men believe they
could get rich quickly
Glory – To be found in the adventure and in the
LAND they might claim, making them rich instead of poor sailors
God – Some (not all) went believing that they must
bring their religious beliefs to these new, native people discovered in the New World (the Americas), and that God would reward them for doing it
Three Reasons for SPANISH EXPLORATION
The SPANISH had reasons for coming to this New World (the French and English came for different reasons):
Christopher Columbus
Looking for a route to the Indies
Looking for riches and power
Expansion of Catholicism
Wanted to spread the Spanish Catholic religion to Asia
How It All Started
The Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria
Columbus’ ships, given to him by the Spanish king and queen
Found land on October 12, 1492
Thought they were in the Indies.
Named land San Salvador in the Carribean
Actually landed in the Bahamas
Called the natives “indios” (but actually named the Taino people)
Even after the blunder Spain agreed to fund more expeditions.
Christopher Columbus
Wanted to establish colonies in the West Indies
Called the colonies “New Spain”
There were reports of large wealthy cities in the interior of the continent
Explorers loved their country, but also wanted wealth for themselves
Known as Conquistadors
The Spanish Arrive 1492-1519
Conquistador – a Spanish soldier who sought riches and power for themselves, and wealth and glory for Spain, in the conquest of the Americas (1500s)
Important Explorers That Were Never in Texas: Christopher Columbus
Hernan Cortes
Conquistadors that were involved with Texas: Alonzo Alvarez Piñeda
Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca
Francisco Vasquez de Coronado
Luis de Moscoso
Don Juan de Oñate
The Conquistadors