Early Explorers of Texas

Purpose - looking for a waterway to China

Didn't find it because he sailed north into the Gulf of Mexico

First to see the coast of America

First to see the coast of America Created the first known map of the Gulf Coast of Texas

Disproved waterway to China

Killed by Native Americans in 1520 but his map made it back to Spain

separated in Florida from crew

built raft and ended up near Galveston

captured by Native Americans

escaped and met up with friendlier tribe

survived by trading and healing the sick

Traveled through Texas and Mexico and ended up coming across Spanish soldiers

Was able to sail back to Spain and then wrote a book about Native American way of life and stories of gold and treasure. Also detailed accounts of the geography of Texas and Mexico

Inspired by de Vaca's story of gold

led an expedition to find cities of gold

first to travel through Panhandle of Texas

reported Texas was good for crops but nothing else

became frustrated he never found gold and blamed the Native Americans. He killed them even though the King of Spain told him to treat them kindly

King of Spain gave persmission to settle New Mexico

main mission: convert Native Americans to Christianity

hoping to find silver and get rich

Explored very west Texas and created the El Camino Real or Royal Road