Texas History
Fort Burrows
3.1 - 1492 – 1700
Spain Prepares for Exploration
READ pgs 56 – 58
“After Columbus’s initial contact with the Americas in 1492, the floodgates of European
exploration opened wide. Spanish Conquistadors, hungry for wealth and glory, was the 1st
Europeans to explore the region that is now Texas. The Spanish were slow to settle the area
because they were more interested in looking for gold and other treasures.”
Timeline:
1492 - Christopher Columbus (CC) sails to America
1492 - Reconquista Ends
1519 - de Pineda Maps the coast line of Texas
1528 - de Vaca begins his 7 year journey in Texas
1541 - de Coronado seeks treasure in Texas
1542 - de Moscoso enters East Texas
1607 - English build first settlement in Jamestown, Virginia
1659 - 1st permanent settlement of Texas - El Paso del Norte
1685 - de La Salle builds first French fort in Texas
Main Idea:
A long history of war in Spain produced highly skilled soldiers who went on to conquer parts of the
Americas.
Vocabulary:
Reconquista ( REH-kohn-KEES-tah ) – reconquest; to conquest again
century – 100 years, a hundred years
indigenous – native
Christian - One who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ
anglo – white skinned Protestant people of British or Irish descent
primary source – original document from a particular time in the past.
(Such as photograph, letters, newspaper articles,
cartoons posters, maps, political documents.)
Setting the Scene:
Christopher Columbus is addressing King Ferdinand and Queen Isabelle of Spain regarding
them sending him ( and paying for ) to find a new route to India. He refers to them as ‘Catholic
Christians’. He tells them that he will seek the land of India by traveling a Western route, which he
thought would be a short cut to India and China. Also, he would use the “proper method of
converting them to our holy faith”. Columbus did not find the India route, but the route to the
Americas.
Columbus was an Entrepreneur. He knew enough about business to prepare a Written
Contract with the ol’ King & Queen. He had 3 requirements.
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1. he would be named ‘Admiral of All the Atlantic’
2. he would become the Vice-Roy of all Land he found
3. he would receive 10% of TOTAL revenue found, Spices, Gold, Silver, etc.
His contract had a name. It was called the ‘Book of Privileges’. CC made many, many copies and
gave them too many people ( just in case ). They were ALL hand-written. Only 4 remain today.
Spain and the Reconquista
Since the A.D. 700s, Spanish Christians battled to regain control of Spain. During that time, Spain
was controlled by the Moors, an Islamic people. The Christians believed that God wanted them to
drive out the Moors. The struggle ended in 1492 when Spanish Christians drove the Moors out of
Granada.
 The Moors gain control of Spain
 The Moors were an Islamic people who originally came from northwest Africa
 800 years of struggle, called the Reconquista, begin as Spain fights to retake the land
 Spain drives the Moors out
 The defeat of the Moors inspires Spain to explore other lands
 Spain funds Christopher Columbus’s overseas voyage
 His success leads to the voyages of more explorers
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The Soldiers of Spain
Quest for Gold & Glory
Spanish boys wanted to be soldiers when they grew up
Fighting was a job, a way of life, and an act of religious faith
The winner took all possessions of the loser
They did not fight for land, but the riches of the land/people
Columbus’ Voyage
The king of Portugal turned down Columbus’s request for support
The successful end of the Reconquista in 1492 inspired Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of
Spain to back Columbus’s voyage
Columbus promised to find new trade routes to China and India and to spread the Catholic
religion
Columbus failed to find a direct route to Asia
He landed in the Caribbean instead
The gold and captive Indians he brought back convinced the king and queen of Spain that
America would provide the wealth they had hoped to find in Asia
CHRISTIAN
One who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ
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ROMAN CATHOLIC
PROTESTANT
Being A Christian church
having Hierarchy of Priests and Bishops
under the Pope
A member of any of several church
denominations denying the universal authority
of the Pope and affirming the Reformation
Principles of justification by FAITH alone
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SPAIN
Southern Europe, Italy, etc.
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MEXICO
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Hail Mary
Hail - Honor or give Respect to
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UNITED STATES
Northern Europe, Germany, etc.
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TEXAS
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Amen Brother
Amen – Let it be so
1. How did the end of the Reconquista affect Spanish overseas exploration ?
A. the Moors agreed to help Spain explore new lands
B. Spain needed a new homeland for the captured Moors
C. Spanish soldiers sought new lands to conquer
D. Spanish soldiers stayed home to enjoy their victory
2. Why did Columbus want to sail West to Asia ?
A. he wanted to open trade routes to China and India
B. he wanted wealth and glory
C. he wanted an opportunity to spread the Christian faith
D. all of the above
3. Who did Columbus work for ?
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4. What was Columbus’ promise to the King & Queen ?
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5.
What did conquistadors do ?
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6.
What was the Reconquista ?
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7. How did the Reconquista influence the way Spanish men viewed the military ?
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