October 01, 2018 Spanish Explorers Christopher Columbus was not the only explorer to sail for Spain. Some of the most famous explorers are Juan Ponce de León, Ferdinand Magellan, Hernando Cortés, Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, and Hernando de Soto. Each one of these explorers played and important role in the colonizing and exploration of the Americas. October 01, 2018 Spanish Exploration One of the most influential countries during the age of exploration would be the Spanish. Spain with the help of Christopher Columbus was the first country to reach the Americas. Exploration to Spain was not to find treasures or claim land, those would be nice to have, but it's original goal was to spread their religion. Upon Columbus' return Spain turned it's focus to claiming land and finding riches. NOTES: *Spain was the 1st country to sail west to find Asia *Reason for Exploring: ~Spreading religion ~Claiming Land ~Finding Riches October 01, 2018 Christopher Columbus Christopher Columbus was the first Spanish explorer to reach the Americas, in 1492. He landed on an island and named it San Salvador and claimed the land for Spain. He believed that he had reached India so he called the native people Indians. Columbus finding a "new world" is extremely important his biggest impact might have been the excitement he stirred in other countries to explore. Columbus made 3 more voyages to the "new world" after his first. NOTES: *1st Voyage in 1492 *Claimed San Salvador for Spain *1st explorer to sail west Ferdinand Magellan Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese explorer who set sail in 1519. He believed that Christopher Columbus had not reached India but thought it was still possible. So Magellan sailed from Spain down the East coast and around the tip of South America to reach the Pacific Ocean and eventually all the way back to Spain. Ferdinand Magellan was the first explorer to sail around the world. He left with 1250 sailors in 1519 and returned with 18 sailors in 1522, unfortunately he was killed in 1521. NOTES: *Only voyage was 1519-1522 *1st explorer to sail around the world October 01, 2018 Juan Ponce de León Juan Ponce de León was a soldier who sailed with Christopher Columbus on his 2nd voyage. He also helped conquer Puerto Rico where he learned from Natives of a "Fountain of Youth." So, in 1513 Ponce de León set out to find the "Fountain of Youth." In his journey he landed in present day Florida which he claimed the land for Spain. Even though he never found the fountain of youth he was the first Spanish explorer to set foot in part of the United States. NOTES: *Sailed with Columbus *In 1513 went to find the Fountain of Youth *Found present day Florida *1st Spanish explorer in the US Hernando Cortés Hernando Cortés is a Spanish noble who was sent by Spain to find gold in Mexico. In 1519 Cortés landed on the east coast of Mexico and headed inland to the Aztec capital. Fighting broke out amongst the Spanish and Aztecs and in 1521 with help of other Indian groups Cortés captured the Aztec capital. Cortés and other conquistadors built Mexico City in 1522. NOTES: *1519 explored Mexico looking for Gold *Defeated the Aztecs *Built Mexico City October 01, 2018 De Coronado and De Soto Francisco Vásquez de Coronado was a Spanish explorer who in 1540 went looking for the seven cities of gold. During his exploration he traveled through lands that are now parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Even though he failed to find any riches, he claimed lands that are now the southwestern US for Spain. Hernando de Soto was a Spanish conquistador who in 1539 went in search for gold. De Soto traveled through what is now Georgia, parts of North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, and Louisiana. De Soto and his men were the first Europeans to see the Mississippi River. Even though he did not find any gold, de Soto claimed most of the Southeastern US for Spain. NOTES: *Francisco Vásquez de Coronado: ~Explored in 1540 ~Looked for seven cities of gold ~Claimed the Southwestern US for Spain *Hernando de Soto: ~Explored in 1539 ~Claimed the Southeastern US for Spain.