Spanish Explorers and Missionaries

Born in Italy

Sailed for Spain

Wanted to find an ocean route to the Indies; bring riches back for Spain, bring the Catholic Faith to the Indies

• Christopher Columbus

• Bartolomeu Dias

• Vasco Nunez de Balboa

• Juan Ponce de Leon

Portuguese explorer

Found a route to the East by sailing south around the tip of Africa

• Christopher Columbus

• Bartolomeu Dias

• Vasco Nunez de Balboa

• Juan Ponce de Leon

Discovered the Pacific Ocean

• Christopher Columbus

• Bartolomeu Dias

• Vasco Nunez de Balboa

• Juan Ponce de Leon

Searching for the Fountain of Youth

Discovered Florida

• Christopher Columbus

• Bartolomeu Dias

• Vasco Nunez de Balboa

• Juan Ponce de Leon

Conquered the Aztec 

Claimed Mexico for Spain

Wanted riches for himself and Spain

Wanted to spread the Catholic Faith

• Francisco Vasquez de Coronado

• Hernando de Soto

• Francisco Pizarro

• Hernan Cortes

Conquered Peru/Inca

• Francisco Vasquez de Coronado

• Hernando de Soto

• Francisco Pizarro

• Hernan Cortes

Explored the regions of what is now the southern United States

Discovered the Mississippi River

• Francisco Vasquez de Coronado

• Hernando de Soto

• Francisco Pizarro

• Hernan Cortes

Explored the regions of New Mexico, western Texas, Kansas.

Searching for the Seven Cities of Cibola 

• Francisco Vasquez de Coronado

• Hernando de Soto

• Francisco Pizarro

• Hernan Cortes

Protector of the Indians

Attempted to set up an Indian colony

Refused Communion to Spanish landlords who treated Indians as slaves

• Bartolome de las Casas

• Fray Juan de Zumarraga

• Juan de Padilla

• Fray Junipero Serra

First bishop of Mexico

Tried to protect the Indians from the cruel Royal Audience

Juan Diego came to him with the miracle of Our Lady of Guadalupe

• Bartolome de las Casas

• Fray Juan de Zumarraga 

• Juan de Padilla

• Fray Junipero Serra