Unit 3 Flashcards
Hernan Cortes
Sailed from Cuba to the east coast of Mexico and established the settlement of Veracruz. When he learned about the existence of the wealthy Aztec empire, he arrived in Tenochtitlan and fought with the Aztecs but was forced to retreat. Over time, Cortes gathered more allies and they attacked Tenochtitlan and destroyed the city. Eventually, Cortes built Mexico City on top of the ruins.
Alonso Alvarez de Pineda
The purpose of his voyage was to find the Northwest Passage. He ended up mapping the coast from Florida to Veracruz in Mexico. Important! He became the first person in 1519 to see and map the Texas coast.
Panfilo de Narvaez
The purpose of his voyage in 1527 was to explore the coast to find gold. During his journey, he got lost in the Florida swamps, his ship left without him, and he got stranded. Soldiers attempted to build boats but a hurricane hit and Narvaez was killed. There are some survivors who washed ashore on Galveston Island.
Christopher Columbus.
Set sail in 1492 to discover a sea route to Asia. Discovered lands thought to be Asia but were actually Caribbean Islands. He inspired other explorers to sail west.
Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca
Was on the Narvaez expedition and was one of the few survivors. Karankawa took the Spaniards in and shared supplies. De Vaca worked as a servant, trader, and healer. Estevanico used his language skills to help the party survive He was stuck in Texas for 8 yrs and spread the rumors to the viceroy that there were mountains of gold to the North.
Fray Marcos de Niza
Sent to the north to find the cities of gold and views the city from a hill where he sees a sparkling city. He thought the city was gold because the city had adobe homes which appeared gold in the setting sun.
Francisco de Coronado
The purpose of his journey was to claim Cibola (the city of gold) for Spain in 1540. At the city, he found a Zuni Puebloan village. Afterward, Coronado hears tales of Quivira, another golden city by El Turko. At Quivira, Coronado finds grass huts and corn so he kills El Turko. Coronado reported to the viceroy that land would be good for farming but his journey was considered a failure.
La Salle
The purpose of La Salle’s 1684 voyage was to build a French colony at the mouth of the Mississippi River. A privateer stole one of his boats and he missed the mouth of the river by 400 miles. The colony was named Fort St. Louis and was made near Matagorda Bay. The colony encountered many problems with crops, disease, and native tribes. Eventually, La Salle dies of a mutiny led by settlers and is murdered.
Fort St. Louis
An unsuccessful French settlement near Matagorda Bay.
Los Adaes
The unofficial capital of Spanish Texas. Equipped with 6 cannons and staffed with 100 soldiers. The most successful settlement and was founded by Aguayo(Presidio).
San Franciso de los Tejas
Damian Massanet founded this and it became the first Spanish mission in east Texas. 4 yrs after it was built the Spanish abandoned the mission after many problems. (Mission)
San Antonio de Valero
This settlement was founded by Father Antonio de San Buenaventura y Olivares and eventually became the Alamo. (Mission)
Quivira
Place on the Great Plains that Coronado went looking for because El Turko told him about him. City of gold.
San Antonio de Bexar
The Spanish needed a colony midway between settlements on the Rio Grande and the new East Texas missions. A settlement here would make it easier to supply the missions. Thus, the Spanish chose this site on the San Antonio River. (Presidio).
Viceroy
An official who exercises authority on behalf of someone else.
