Hernando de Soto
- Early Life. De Soto was born c. ...
- Conquest of Peru. In 1532, explorer Pizarro made de Soto second in command on Pizarro’s expedition to explore and conquer Peru.
- Exploring North America. Despite having a new wife and home in Spain, de Soto grew restless when he heard stories about Cabeza de Vaca's exploration of Florida and the other ...
- Death. ...
What hardships did Hernando de Soto have?
De Soto enslaved, mutilated, and executed the natives, often without provocation. De Soto had one open-field battle at Napituca near Live Oak. De Soto and his men were positioned in the surrounding woods in anticipation of an ambush. When the natives arrived, they charged. Some of the Indians were captured as slaves. Others were shot.
What was Hernando de Soto famous for?
What was Hernando de Soto famous for? Hernando de Soto is most famous for his exploration of North America. He led 600 men on a journey through what is now the southeastern United States. They were the first Europeans to explore most of this region. De Soto was sent by the King of Spain to explore and settle La Florida.
What are some interesting facts about Hernando de Soto?
- Hernando de Soto was born into a poor, but noble family.
- Hernando de Soto was educated at the University of Salamance. ...
- Hernando de Soto's family wanted him to become a lawyer but he wanted to be an explorer.
- Hernando de Soto was invited by Davila, the governor of Darien, to join him on an expedition to the West Indies when he was 14. ...
What are some Hernando de Soto facts?
Hernando de Soto: Conquest of the American Southeast Overview: In the spring of 1540 an army of some 600 Spanish soldiers under the command of Hernando de Soto marched north from Florida into southwestern Georgia in search of riches. The impact of the Hernando de Soto expedition (which lasted from 1539 to 1543) was enormous.
What was the main result of Hernando de Soto's expedition?
As a result, the de Soto expedition also provided Spain with new, important information about the territory of La Florida. The information the men gathered led to the creation of a more detailed map of the region, which is commonly referred to as “The de Soto Map” and can be seen below.
How did Hernando de Soto discoveries change the world?
De Soto's and his men were the first to thoroughly explore most of the southern half of the modern United States. He is credited as being the first European to discover and cross the great Mississippi River. It is important to note the unfortunate negative impact made by the Spanish explorer.
Why is Hernando de Soto important in Georgia's history?
The first European to explore the interior of what is now the state of Georgia was Hernando de Soto. In fact, De Soto entered the state on two occasions during the course of his expedition. Hernando de Soto was born about the year 1500 in Extremadura, Spain.
How did Hernando de Soto discover the Mississippi River?
It shows Spanish conquistador and explorer Hernando De Soto (1500–1542), riding a white horse and dressed in Renaissance finery, arriving at the Mississippi River at a point below Natchez on May 8, 1541. De Soto was the first European documented to have seen the river.
Did de Soto find gold?
Traveling through Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, across the Appalachians, and back to Alabama, de Soto failed to find the gold and silver he desired, but he did seize a valuable collection of pearls at Cofitachequi, in present-day Georgia.
What are some fun facts about Hernando de Soto?
Hernando de Soto | 10 Facts On The Spanish Explorer#1 His parents wanted him to be a lawyer.#4 He played a major role in defeating the Incas in the Battle of Cajamarca.#5 He made an enormous fortune during the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire.#6 Hernando de Soto was made governor of Cuba in 1537.More items...•
What are some important dates for Hernando de Soto?
Hernando De SotoBorn in Spain. 1496. ... Sailed to New World. 1514.Led expedition up coast of Yucatan Peninsula. 1530. ... Landed in Bradenton, Florida. May 1539. ... First European to see Hot Springs, Arkansas. 1541.Reached the Mississippi River. May 8, 1541. ... died on the banks of Mississippi River. May 21, 1542.
What was De Soto's greatest achievement?
There he acquired an encomienda and a public office in León, Nicaragua. Brave leadership, unwavering loyalty, and ruthless schemes for the extortion of native villages for their captured chiefs became de Soto's hallmarks during the conquest of Central America. He gained fame as an excellent horseman, fighter, and tactician. During that time, de Soto was influenced by the achievements of Iberian explorers: Juan Ponce de León, the first European to reach Florida; Vasco Núñez de Balboa, the first European to reach the Pacific Ocean coast of the Americas (he called it the "South Sea" on the south coast of Panama ); and Ferdinand Magellan, who first sailed that ocean to East Asia . In 1530, de Soto became a regidor of León, Nicaragua. He led an expedition up the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula searching for a passage between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean to enable trade with the Orient, the richest market in the world. Failing that, and without means to explore further, de Soto, upon Pedro Arias Dávila 's death, left his estates in Nicaragua. Bringing his own men on ships which he hired, de Soto joined Francisco Pizarro at his first base of Tumbes shortly before departure for the interior of present-day Peru.
Where was Hernando de Soto born?
Hernando de Soto was born circa 1500 in Extremadura, Spain, to parents who were both hidalgos, nobility of modest means. The region was poor and many people struggled to survive; young people looked for ways to seek their fortune elsewhere. He was born in the current province of Badajoz. Three towns— Badajoz, Barcarrota and Jerez de los Caballeros —claim to be his birthplace. He spent time as a child at each place. He stipulated in his will that his body be interred at Jerez de los Caballeros, where other members of his family were buried. A few years before his birth, the Kingdoms of Castille and Aragon conquered the last Islamic kingdom of the Iberian peninsula. Spain and Portugal were filled with young men seeking a chance for military fame after the defeat of the Moors. With Christopher Columbus 's discovery of new lands (which he thought to be East Asia) across the ocean to the west, young men were attracted to rumors of adventure, glory and wealth.
What is the name of the USS De Soto?
PS 130, Hernando Desoto, a public school in New York City. The De Soto School, a private school in Helena, Arkansas. USS De Soto (1859), a Navy steamer that served during the American Civil War and in the West Indies. USS De Soto (1860), a riverboat that was renamed General Lyon on 24 October 1862.
What did Pizarro do after executing Atahualpa?
After executing Atahualpa, Pizarro and his men headed to Cuzco, the capital of the Incan Empire. As the Spanish force approached Cuzco, Pizarro sent his brother Hernando and de Soto ahead with 40 men.
How did De Soto die?
De Soto died of a fever on May 21, 1542, in the native village of Guachoya (historical sources disagree as to whether de Soto died near present-day McArthur, Arkansas, or in Louisiana) on the western bank of the Mississippi. Louisiana erected a historical marker at the estimated site.
What did De Soto's expedition lead the Spanish crown to?
De Soto's expedition led the Spanish crown to reconsider Spain's attitude toward the colonies north of Mexico. He claimed large parts of North America for Spain. The Spanish concentrated their missions in the state of Florida and along the Pacific coast.
How long did De Soto's expedition last?
De Soto's expedition had explored La Florida for three years without finding the expected treasures or a hospitable site for colonization. They had lost nearly half their men, and most of the horses. By this time, the soldiers were wearing animal skins for clothing. Many were injured and in poor health. The leaders came to a consensus (although not total) to end the expedition and try to find a way home, either down the Mississippi River, or overland across Texas to the Spanish colony of Mexico City .
Who was Hernando de Soto?
ico_print. Hernando de Soto was a Spanish explorer and conquistador who participated in the conquests of Central America and Peru and discovered the Mississippi River.
What was the role of De Soto in the exploration of Nicaragua?
An excellent horseman, de Soto was appointed captain of a cavalry exploration troop. Setting out from Panama to Nicaragua and later Honduras, de Soto quickly proved his worth as an explorer and trader, reaping large profits through his bold and commanding exchanges with the natives.
What river did De Soto discover?
In 1539 he set out for North America, where he discovered the Mississippi River. De Soto died of fever on May 21, 1542, in Ferriday, Louisiana. In his will, de Soto named Luis de Moscoso Alvarado the new leader of the expedition.
How did Luis de Soto die?
After crossing the Mississippi de Soto was struck with fever. He died on May 21, 1542, in Ferriday, Louisiana. Members of his crew sank his body in the river that he had discovered. By that time, almost half of de Soto's men had been taken out by disease or in battle against the Indians. In his will, de Soto named Luis de Moscoso Alvarado the new leader of the expedition.
How many ships did De Soto have?
He assembled a fleet of 10 ships and selected a crew of 700 men based on their fighting prowess.
Where was De Soto born?
Early Life. De Soto was born c. 1500 to a noble but poor family in Jerez de los Caballeros, Spain. He was raised at the family manor. A generous patron named Pedro Arias Dávila funded de Soto's education at the University of Salamanca.
When did De Soto leave Cuba?
On April 6, 1538, de Soto and his fleet departed Sanlúcar. On their way to the United States, de Soto and his fleet stopped in Cuba. While there, they were delayed by helping the city of Havana recover after the French sacked and burned it. By May 18, 1539, de Soto and his fleet at last set out for Florida.
What did De Soto do in 1541?
On May 8, 1541, De Soto’s troops became the first Europeans to reach the Mississippi River. They crossed the river and headed into Arkansas and Louisiana. The same year, they became the first Europeans to see in Arkansas what is now known as Hot Springs. In early 1542, De Soto decided to explore more and turned back towards Mississippi. He was struck by fever and died on May 21, 1542 in Louisiana. It is said that his comrades wrapped his body in cloaks packed with sand and cast it into Mississippi. The expedition was then led by Luis de Moscoso, whom De Soto appointed his successor, and they reached Mexico in 1543.
Where was Hernando de Soto born?
Library of Congress engraving of Hernando de Soto. Hernando de Soto was born circa 1496 in Jerez de los Caballeros in the current Bajadoz province of western Spain. He was the second son of Francisco Mendez de Soto and his wife Leonor Arias Tinoco. Hidalgo is a nobleman without a hereditary title.
Why did Pizarro capture Atahualpa?
While Atahualpa was held captive by Pizarro to control the Inca Empire, for political reasons De Soto developed friendly relations with the emperor, who gave him several lavish gifts. On 26 July 1533, Pizarro executed Atahualpa even though his subjects had raised an enormous ransom in gold in order to ensure his release.
Why did Pizarro give De Soto two ships?
De Soto had lent Pizarro two ships to investigate reports of gold in present day north-western Colombia. In return for the use of his ships, Pizarro named De Soto his chief lieutenant during the conquest. De Soto, as the expedition’s captain of horse, played a leading role in Spaniards defeating the Incas in the Battle of Cajamarca ...
What were the effects of Hernando de Soto's expedition?
It played its part in the process of the Columbian Exchange with the most prominent effect being the decline of indigenous population due to the diseases brought by Europeans. Also the records of the expedition contributed greatly to European knowledge about the geography, biology, and ethnology of the New World. Hernando de Soto is considered one of the most important Spanish conquistadors and many parks, towns, counties, and institutions have been named after him in the United States.
How many siblings did De Soto have?
They wanted him to be a lawyer but De Soto dreamed of making a fortune in the New World from an early age. Soto had at least three siblings. His known siblings are a brother named Juan Mendez de Soto; and two sisters named Catalina de Soto and Maria de Soto.
When did De Soto die?
In early 1542, De Soto decided to explore more and turned back towards Mississippi. He was struck by fever and died on May 21, 1542 in Louisiana. It is said that his comrades wrapped his body in cloaks packed with sand and cast it into Mississippi.
What did Hernando de Soto do?
Hernando de Soto's accomplishments included capturing Peru, helping the city of Havana after the French burned it and capturing the Mississippi River. de Soto managed this, despite coming from a poor background. de Soto was a Spanish explorer who began his period of exploration with Francisco Pizarro in 1532, and assisted with ...
What did De Soto do for the Spanish?
He assisted the Spanish crown in capturing Florida , as well as Alabama and Georgia. In 1541, de Soto captured the Mississippi River. This was the first time a European team of explorers traveled the river. In 1542, de Soto developed a fever while in Louisiana and eventually died. While de Soto's activities did not obtain much prosperity for ...
What were the positive effects of De Soto's activities?
While de Soto's activities did not obtain much prosperity for the Spanish crown , there were some positive consequences. His period of exploration helped Spain expand its knowledge of North American geography and biology. In addition, they were the last period of explorers to document and witness Mississippi culture.
How many ships did De Soto sail for?
In 1538, using all his resources, he gathered 10 ships and set sail for Cuba, where he aided the city of Havana following the French sacking and burning it.
What were Hernando de Soto's accomplishments?
Hernando de Soto was a Spanish explorer and conquistador who is most notably known for his participation and contribution to the conquering of the Incan Empire. The Spanish famously and infamously defeated the ruler and his brother of the Incan Empire and went on to establish Spanish colonies in ...
What were Hernando de Soto's greatest achievements?
The Spanish famously and infamously defeated the ruler and his brother of the Incan Empire and went on to establish Spanish colonies in the Americas. Here are some of Hernando de Soto’s major accomplishments. 1. Hernando De Soto Was a Designer First And Then An Explorer. His original dream was to develop his own automobile.
What did Pizarro do in his days of exploration?
3. Days of Exploring. Pizarro, his comrade and confidant, went on to explore South America while de Soto was commissioned to explore North America. He was asked by the Spanish King Charles I to set up colonies in North America.
Who led the Incans to the founding of Peru?
The Incans were in a state of civil war at the time and Hernando de Soto took advantage of the situation to conquer the kingdom, which later became Peru. In a way, regardless of the means, de Soto lead to the founding of Peru. 3. Days of Exploring.
Who was Hernando De Soto?
1. Hernando De Soto Was a Designer First And Then An Explorer. His original dream was to develop his own automobile. He had even come up with designs that were found to be usable, rather realistic and that paved the way for the DeSoto automobile.
Is De Soto a legend?
The age of exploration has many legends and not all of them had noble intentions. De Soto is undoubtedly a legend in his own right and his contribution is immense, both towards his King and his own fortune. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.
Overview
Hernando de Soto was a Spanish explorer and conquistador who was involved in expeditions in Nicaragua and the Yucatan Peninsula. He played an important role in Francisco Pizarro's conquest of the Inca Empire in Peru, but is best known for leading the first European expedition deep into the territory of the modern-day United States (through Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and most likely Ar…
Early life
Hernando de Soto was born circa 1500 in Extremadura, Spain, to parents who were both hidalgos, nobility of modest means. The region was poor and many people struggled to survive; young people looked for ways to seek their fortune elsewhere. He was born in the current province of Badajoz. Three towns—Badajoz, Barcarrota and Jerez de los Caballeros—claim to be his birthplace. He spent time as a child at each place. He stipulated in his will that his body be interred at Jerez …
In the New World
De Soto sailed to the New World with Pedro Arias Dávila, appointed as the first Governor of Panama. In 1520 he participated in Gaspar de Espinosa's expedition to Veragua, and in 1524, he participated in the conquest of Nicaragua under Francisco Hernández de Córdoba. There he acquired an encomienda and a public office in León, Nicaragua. Brave leadership, unwavering loyalty, and ruthless schemes for the extortion of native villages for their captured chiefs becam…
Conquest of Peru
When Pizarro and his men first encountered the army of Inca Atahualpa at Cajamarca, Pizarro sent de Soto with fifteen men to invite Atahualpa to a meeting. When Pizarro's men attacked Atahualpa and his guard the next day (the Battle of Cajamarca), de Soto led one of the three groups of mounted soldiers. The Spanish captured Atahualpa. De Soto was sent to the camp of the Inca army, where he and his men plundered Atahualpa's tents.
Return to Spain
De Soto returned to Spain in 1536, with wealth gathered from plunder in the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. He was admitted into the prestigious Order of Santiago and "granted the right to conquer Florida". His share was awarded to him by the King of Spain, and he received 724 marks of gold, and 17,740 pesos. He married Isabel de Bobadilla, daughter of Pedrarias Dávila and a relative of a confidante of Queen Isabella.
De Soto's exploration of North America
Historians have worked to trace the route of de Soto's expedition in North America, a controversial process over the years. Local politicians vied to have their localities associated with the expedition. The most widely used version of "De Soto's Trail" comes from a study commissioned by the United States Congress. A committee chaired by the anthropologist John R. Swanton publishe…
Effects of expedition in North America
The Spanish believed that de Soto's excursion to Florida was a failure. They acquired neither gold nor prosperity and founded no colonies. But the expedition had several major consequences.
It contributed to the process of the Columbian Exchange. For instance, some of the swine brought by de Soto escaped and became the ancestors of feral razorb…
Namesakes
Many parks, towns, counties, and institutions have been named after Hernando de Soto, to include:
• De Soto, Georgia
• De Soto, Illinois
• De Soto, Iowa