Question/Problem 2: Describe the reasons for and the outcomes of the European explorers between 1492 - 1673.

Hernando de Soto was born about 1500 in the mountainous area of Jerez de los Caballeros in central Spain. In his youth, he saw many shipments of products and goods from the Indies. Gold, sugar, herbs, cotton, hides, and wood inspired many stories of th e possibilities for riches and promise across the Atlantic. At the age of 14, de Soto sailed for the Isthmus of Panama with the aging governor of Darien, Pedro Arias Davila.

Under the harsh Davila, de Soto earned a reputation as a conquistador known for his stubbornness, bravery, and boldness. As reward for his raids of Indian land and treasures, he received gold and slaves. De Soto had served as Lieutenant for Francisco P izarro during his expedition to conquer the Inca Indians. Since Pizarro was successful in conquering the Incas of Peru, de Soto shared in the wealth and made a fortune for his work in Mexico.

Many stories were told by the Indians of vast riches in the areas north and south of Mexico. A tale was told in Mexico (New Spain) about seven cities to the north where precious jewels might be found in abundance and gold in such quantities that ordinar y tools were made from it. King Charles I of Spain also heard of the reported wealth waiting to be discovered. As a result, he gave de Soto a grant to lead an expedition to Florida to conquer, to subdue, the population, and to find more wealth than Cort es in Mexico and Pizarro in Peru.

Hernando de Soto's expedition sailed from Spain with seven ships, about 600 men, 250 horses, and many bloodhounds. The expedition arrived in Tampa Bay in 1539. They traveled by foot through Florida and across Georgia pushing through thickets and quagmi res. Motivated by the chance of finding gold ahead they pushed north through the region known today as Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. Hernando de Soto tried a forced labor policy with the Indians and held some of the chiefs hostage. This techniqu e had worked for Cortes and Pizarro, but it did not work for de Soto. Like some explorers before him, de Soto met with some luck; he found a survivor of a shipwreck who could interpret the Indian language. However, the Indians in this area were not frie ndly and not willing to give up their land without a fight.

An Indian princess did greet de Soto with food and provided shelter for his men. She gave him ropes of pearls as gifts. In return, de Soto took her hostage. He was determined to find wealth. However, obstacles continued to reduce the success of de Soto. His soldiers lost most of their supplies, clothing, and horses. Nevertheless, de Soto continued to push on. He arrived with about half of his men and a few weary horses at the Mississippi River. Discovering this mighty river was his greatest achie vement. Although de Soto continued to explore for several months, he never found the wealth that would bring fame to him and Spain. He died of a fever and was wrapped in skins weighted with sand and dumped into the Mississippi River which he had discove red. The remainder of de Soto's expedition floated down the river to the sea and returned to Mexico. Even though de Soto did not realize his dream, he made an important discovery, the Mississippi River.