US History

U.S. History Study Guide

Notable Conquistadors in North America • Hernan Cortes was one of the first Conquistadors. He was responsible for conquering the Aztec Empire and claiming Mexico for Spain. While in Mexico he went on an expedition to the north and discovered California. The Gulf of California was originally named the Sea of Cortés. • Panfilo de Narváez was given permission to explore the Gulf of Mexico, but this would be a disastrous exploration, of the four hundred men who went only four would make it back to Spain one of which was Cabeza de Vaca who brought back stories of riches and gold (The Seven Cities of Cibola). Da Vaca and his fellow travelers were also the first Europeans to see the American Buffalo. He would write accounts of his journey and this would inspire other future conquistadors to explore. • Vasco Nunez de Balboa is the first explorer to set sail to the South Seas of the Americas and named it the Pacific because it appeared peaceful. • Juan Ponce de León explored the Caribbean, searching for gold and the legendary Fountain of Youth, he landed in Florida and claimed it for Spain. • Hernando De Soto explored much of Florida and then made his way inland into North America. He was the first European to have crossed west of the Mississippi River and penetrated as far as Oklahoma. He died on his expedition and was buried on the banks of the Mississippi River. • Francisco Vásquez de Coronado with a group of Spaniards and enslaved natives, traveled through southwestern North America (including Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas). His expedition founded the Zuñi, Hopi, and Pueblo tribes and some of his men were the first Europeans to see the Grand Canyon. • Juan de Onate was an extremely ruthless conquistador who conquered the Pueblo tribes and established territory of New Mexico. He was the first to introduce horses to the American Southwest, where the natives would domesticate them. 2.8 French Explorers Stories of the NewWorld intrigued French rulers. Although they wanted a share of the American gold and silver, they were more interested in finding a westward route to Asia. The French set out an array of Explorers to the New World. Most of their explorations had lead them to areas in modern day Canada, and as far as Northeast United States and as South as Louisiana. Notable French Explorers in North America • Giovanni da Verrazano was commissioned to locate the Northwest Passage but instead he navigated from the Carolinas to Nova Scotia. • Jacques Cartier was the first to claim what is now called Canada, for France. He tried a variety of settlements, but all were fairly ill-fated. • Samuel de Champlain is considered the Father of New France. It was Champlain, who opened up the fur trade from North American to France.

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