Spanish Exploration of Texas Study Guide

Flashcards covering key explorers, expeditions, vocabulary, Native American groups, and effects of Spanish exploration in Texas.

When did Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca return to Spanish territory after surviving the Narváez expedition?

1536

What significant work did Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca publish in 1542?

A memoir about his travels in Texas

Why was Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca's memoir important?

It provided the first written accounts of Texas lands, plants, animals, and Native Americans.

What key information did Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca share with Spanish officials?

Rumors of "cities of great wealth" in the mountains.

Who was the leader of The Niza Expedition in 1539?

Fray Marcos de Niza

What was the main goal of The Niza Expedition?

To find the "Seven Cities of Gold" or "Cities of Cibola"

What happened to Estevanico during The Niza Expedition?

He was killed by the Zuni people.

What was the outcome of Fray Marcos de Niza's claims after his expedition?

He returned claiming to have found Cibola, based on distant observations of what he thought were golden buildings.

Who led The Coronado Expedition from 1541-1543?

Francisco Vásquez de Coronado

What did The Coronado Expedition find instead of gold?

Adobe brick pueblos

What significant natural landmarks did the Coronado Expedition become the first Europeans to see?

Grand Canyon and Palo Duro Canyon

What was the ultimate result of The Coronado Expedition?

It was a complete failure as no gold was found, and Coronado died in disgrace.

Who initially led The De Soto Expedition starting in 1539?

Hernando de Soto

Which major river did The De Soto Expedition cross into Louisiana and Texas?

Mississippi River

What significant problem did The De Soto Expedition face, resulting in the loss of a third of its men?

Fighting with the Mobilian tribe

Who assumed leadership of The De Soto Expedition after Hernando de Soto's death in 1542?

Luis de Moscoso

Approximately how many survivors from The De Soto Expedition made it back to Mexico?

Only 300+

What is a Conquistador?

A Spanish explorer and conqueror.

What was Cibola?

Mythical "Seven Cities of Gold" that Spanish explorers searched for.

What was Quivira?

Another rumored city of gold located in Kansas.

Define the Columbian Exchange.

The transfer of plants, animals, diseases, and people between the Americas and Europe, Africa, and Asia after 1492.

What is Adobe?

Sun-dried brick material used by Native Americans to build structures.

Which Native American group, living in New Mexico pueblos, killed Estevanico?

Zuni

Which Native American group provided winter shelter to Coronado's expedition?

Tigua

Which Native American group was encountered in East Texas?

Caddo

Which Native American group was possibly encountered along the Texas coast by Spanish explorers?

Karankawa

What Native American group's ancestors lived in the Quivira settlements?

Wichita ancestors

What was a positive effect of Spanish exploration for Spain regarding territorial claims?

It gave Spain the legal right to claim Texas as part of their empire.

How did Spanish exploration benefit Spain in terms of geographic knowledge?

They learned about Texas land, environment, and resources.

How did Texas serve as a "Buffer Zone" for Spain?

It provided protection between Spanish colonies and other European settlements.

What was a major negative effect of European arrival on Native Americans?

Europeans brought deadly diseases that killed many Native Americans.

How did Spanish exploration impact the traditional ways of life for Native Americans?

It led to cultural disruption, where traditional ways of life were changed or destroyed.

What often resulted from interactions between Spanish explorers and Native American tribes (apart from disease)?

Conflict and fighting

What form of labor imposition did Spanish explorers sometimes enforce on Native Americans?

Forced labor, where some Native Americans were enslaved or made to provide supplies.

What two significant events related to Spanish exploration occurred in 1539?

The Niza expedition began, and De Soto landed in Florida.

When did the Coronado expedition reach "Cibola"?

1541

What key events happened in 1542 during Spanish exploration?

Cabeza de Vaca published his memoir, De Soto died, and Moscoso led survivors back.

Why were the Spanish so interested in finding gold in Texas?

They were driven by rumors of "cities of great wealth" (like Cibola and Quivira) and wanted to expand their empire and riches.

What role did Estevanico play in Spanish exploration?

He served as a translator for the Niza Expedition, acting as an advance scout before being killed by the Zuni people.

How did the search for gold affect relationships between Spanish explorers and Native Americans?

It led to conflict, disease, cultural disruption, and forced labor for Native Americans, often due to Spanish demands and aggression.

What was the Columbian Exchange and how did it affect Texas?

The Columbian Exchange was the transfer of plants, animals, diseases, and people between the Americas and Europe, Africa, and Asia after 1492. In Texas, it brought deadly European diseases to Native Americans and introduced new animals and plants.

Why did Spain lose interest in Texas exploration for several decades after the major expeditions?

The major expeditions failed to find gold, leading to no immediate wealth and a lack of motivation for further costly exploration.