Unit 2: Test Review
1. The time period from 1500 to 1800 could be best described as
The Age of Exploration or The Era of European Exploration.
2. Create a timeline showing chronological order of exploration in
Texas. Show the date, the explorer, and country of origin.
Year
Explorer and Country of Origin (Where From)
1492
1519
Columbus reaches the Americas for Spain


1526


1539
1541
1680
Pineda sets sail to map the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico
and establish a Spanish Colony for Spain.
Hernan Cortes conquers Aztec capital Tenochtitlan and
renames it Mexico.
Panfilo de Narvaez granted permission to explore
Florida for Spain.
Cabeza de Vaca and Estevanico were original members
of Narvaez expedition for Spain. de Vaca reports about
Seven Cities of Cibola.
Hernando de Soto expedition leaves Spain in search of
the Seven Cities of Cibola for Spain.
Francisco Vasquez de Coronado leads expedition to Texas to
for Spain in search of the Seven Cities of Cibola.
Rene-Robert Cavelier and Sieur de La Salle establish a fort
on the coast of Texas for France. In 16 82 he claimed the
Mississippi River for France.
1684
1685
1687
1800
La Salle set sail to find the mouth of the Mississippi
River.
La Salle reached Galveston Bay. Sent colonists
ashore at Matagorda Bay.
La Salle killed by several of his surviving crew members
during their failed mission.
3. Why did Europeans explore the Americas?
The main reason the Europeans explored the Americas was to find
riches or gold.
4. Summarize the events that happened on the Narvaez/
Cabeza deVaca exploration.
1. Narvaez ignored de Vaca’s warnings of the dangers of the
exploration.
2. Narvaez traveled overland to meet his ships which carried much
needed supplies, but when Narvaez reach the meeting place his
ships were not there.
3. Narvaez had his men build rafts to travel to Mexico, but most of
the men were drowned at sea during a hurricane.
5. When did Pineda explore and map the Texas coastline?
Pineda explored and mapped the Texas coastline in 1519.
6. While searching for the Mississippi River, who became shipwrecked
in Matagorda Bay?
The two explorers that were shipwrecked in Matagorda Bay while
looking for the Mississippi River were Rene-Robert Cavelier and
Sieur de La Salle.
7. What was the purpose of the explorations by each country? (There
were 3 main reasons for the explorations.)
 Gold—searching for riches
 God—spreading the religion of Christianity
 Glory—fame and prestige for their country