Early Explorers of Texas

What was the main goal of Robert de La Salle's expeditions in North America?

• To find gold and silver

• To find a river route to the Gulf of Mexico and expand French control

• To establish trade with the Native Americans

• To map the entire continent

Which territories did La Salle explore, and what important river did he discover?

• The Amazon River in South America

• The Mississippi River, reaching the Gulf of Mexico

• The Nile River in Africa

• The Yangtze River in China

Why did the colony founded by La Salle in Texas fail?

• Lack of food and water

• Problems with navigation, conflicts with natives, diseases, and crew difficulties

• Attacks by pirates

• Harsh weather conditions

How and where did Robert de La Salle die?

• In a shipwreck off the coast of Florida

• In a battle with Spanish forces in Mexico

• He was killed by his own men in Texas

• From illness in Canada

What was Francisco Vázquez de Coronado searching for during his expedition?

• The Fountain of Youth

• The Seven Cities of Gold

• A new route to Asia

• The Northwest Passage

Which modern-day states did Coronado explore during his journey?

• California and Nevada

• Florida and Georgia

• Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas

• New York and Pennsylvania

What was one of the significant outcomes of Coronado's expedition?

• He discovered a new continent

• He found vast amounts of gold

• He mapped large areas of the American Southwest

• He established a permanent settlement

What was Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca known for during his explorations?

• Discovering the Pacific Ocean

• Being one of the first Europeans to explore the interior of North America

• Establishing the first European colony in America

• Leading a successful expedition to the North Pole

How did Cabeza de Vaca survive after being shipwrecked on the Gulf Coast?

• He built a new ship and sailed back to Spain

• He was rescued by a passing ship

• He lived among and learned from Native American tribes

• He found a hidden stash of supplies

What did Cabeza de Vaca do after returning to Spain?

• He became a famous author

• He led another expedition to the Americas

• He wrote a book about his experiences

• He retired from exploration