Hernando de Soto

Hernando de Soto

Who do you think he was?

Open Ended

Based on who we have been learning about, who do you think Hernando De Soto was?

You guessed it!

He was a Spanish explorer.

About de Soto

• He was born in Spain around 1500

• Hernando de Soto was a teenager when Balboa discovered the Pacific Ocean!

• His parents wanted him to be an explorer too.

• In 1514 he went on his FIRST expedition into the New World.

Multiple Choice

Think back!! What is the New World?

• Asia

• North and South America

• Russia

Mission and Goals

• A few years later in 1531, under explorer Francisco Pizarro, Hernando de Soto went on an expedition to Peru.

• On this journey, he discovered a route leading to Cuzco, the capital city of the Incas.

Open Ended

What do you think de Soto wanted or was looking for in Peru?

What happened in Peru??

• Known for his bravery, de Soto went on ahead without Pizarro.

• There he led an attack ending in the capture of the Inca's capital city. 

• This attack resulted in the defeat of the Incan Empire.

Open Ended

Do you think the attack and capture of the Inca's was the correct thing to do?

After

• Back home in Spain, Hernando de Soto grew restless.

• Using all his savings, he prepared for another expedition, this time to North America.

• On April 6, 1583, de Soto set sail with ten ships and a crew of 700 men.

Where did they go?

• On May 25, 1539 they landed at Tampa Bay, Florida

• For the next three years, they explored the southeastern United States in search of gold and riches.

Open Ended

What did de Soto think he could find exploring those parts of North America?

Encounters

• They had many encounters and battles with the Native Americans along the way.

• Even though de Soto was a young explorer, he was bold and demanding in his encounters with the natives

• After exploring Florida, they traveled north into Georgia and Alabama. 

• Then in the spring of 1541, he discovered the mouth of the Mississippi River. Before heading back, he led his men through Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. 

• With this voyage, Hernando de Soto became the first European to cross the Mississippi River.Before heading back, de Soto and his men explored westward into Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.

  
  

Obstacles and Challenges

What challenges do you think Hernando De Soto faced?

Open Ended

List some challenges you think he faced.

Hernando de Soto overcame many obstacles during his missions

• He encountered many Native American groups on his journey.

•  Hernando de Soto treated many Native American tribes poorly and took many captive.

Accomplishments

• Today, he is best known for helping explorer Francisco Pizarro conquer the Incas.

• He is also known for exploring the southeastern United States and being the first European to have crossed the Mississippi River.

• His discovery of the Mississippi River led to further exploration and expansion into the Midwest.

Multiple Choice

Where was de Soto Born?

• Mexico

• Spain

• Canada

Multiple Choice

What explorer did he work under?

• Francisco Pizarro

• Balboa

• Henry Hudson

Multiple Select

de Soto went on an expedition to..

• Peru

• Russia

• North America

Multiple Choice

What river did de Soto find?

• Yellow River

• Ogeechee River

• Mississippi River

Multiple Choice

How many men were on his crew on his big expedition to North America?

• 7

• 70

• 700

Multiple Choice

Which Bay did they land on?

• Hudson Bay

• Tampa Bay

• Chesapeake Bay

Multiple Choice

Hernando De Soto wanted to help the Native Americans

• True

• False