Exploration
La Salle (France)
Followed the Mississippi all the way to the Gulf of Mexico, and he claimed the region for France, naming it Louisiana in honor of King Louis XIV
Impact of Spanish/French arrival on Native populations
Massive population loss due to disease; Spanish used force, French traded weapons.
Location of Missions
Near rivers for navigation and fresh water.
French impact on Spanish settlement in Texas.
La Salles expedition alarmed Spain, pushing them to settle Texas more seriously.
Pineda 1519
Mapped the coast of Texas
Myths and legends in Spanish exploration
Stories of gold cities and magical lands inspired expeditions.
Presidios
Spanish military bases built to protect the missions
Spanish-Indian relationships 16th-17th centuries
Mostly hostile-Indians resisted or attacked; some, like Pueblo, revolted successfully.
Cortés conquest of Aztecs
Superior weapons, horses, alliances with oppressed tribes, and Moctezumas fear of Cortés.
Purpose of Missions
To convert Native Americans to Christianity
Coronado exploration
Traveled through NM, AZ, TX Panhandle, OK, KS. Found no treasure-returned disappointed.
Spain pull back from Texas
Too expensive, dangerous, and unfruitful-led to temporary French occupation.
Columbus funding
Portugal rejected him; Spain liked the promise of wealth, faith spread, and rival competition.
Spain Exploration
Conquistadors conquered America, Mexico, Spain, & Peru, in search of Gold and serving God
-took Native Americans as slaves
Role of religion in conquest of Mexico
Spanish sought to convert or kill; Aztec sacrifices made them unpopular with other tribes.
Difference between French and Spanish colonial approaches
Spanish sought gold/conversion; French focused on fur trade and had fewer settlers.