Fransisco Vasquez-De-Coronado
Conqueror and Explorer
 ABOUT FRANCISCO VASQUEZ DE CORONADO Francisco Vasquez De Coronado was born in the year of 1510 in Salamanca, Spain. He had a Noble Spanish family and had a very good education, so he befitted his family. He was a Spanish Conquistador and Explorer. He was famous for being the first European to explore the Southwest of North America in Arizona and New Mexico. When he set out to sea, his mission was to find the Seven Cities of Gold. Read along and find out if he has fulfilled his mission by finding the Seven Cities of Gold. Watch the following video to see a short version of his exploration. Enjoy (: |
This Video was made by a Fifth Grader that also had to do Fransisco Vasquez de Coronado for a school project. |
Exploration Takes Place
Francisco Vasquez De Coronado went to Mexico with Antonio De Mendoza, a Spanish Viceroy. There, he married the daughter of a colonial treasurer and had eight children. In 1538 he was made governor of Nueva Galicia. Antonio heard about the Seven Cities of Gold from Fray Marcos de Niza. He said that the Seven Cities of Gold is a gleaming city in the city of Cibola that the local Indians describe it as only the smallest of the Seven and carries more Gold than the Incas. In 1539 the Viceroy tasks Coronado with searching the South West for Cibola and the Seven Cities of Gold.
In 1540 on February 23, Fransisco begins his expedition in search of the Seven Cities of Gold. Fray Marcos joins Francisco Vasquez De Coronado as a guide. On the ship, there are 340 Spanish, 300 Indians, 1000 horses, 1000 slaves, and 6 swivel guns, which means the purpose of the expedition was to colonize as well as explore. On July 7, 1540 Coronado is hurt by the Pueblo Indians and finds a base. Coronado FINDS Cibola, but it was not the way Fray Marcos described it, it wasn't the gleaming city. Francisco dismissed Marcos and sent him back in disgrace.
An Indian guide named Turk tells Coronado another city called Quivira that supposedly is a rich kingdom, and once again, Coronado believes them. In 1541 he sets out for Quivira. He finally arrives and once again he is disappointed. Quivira is just another poor village. Turk confessed that it was a false story, so Francisco had him executed...killed. Coronado and the others spent the winter on Rio Grande. In Spring of 1542 he starts his journey back home. He did not find the Seven Cities of Gold, but he found other places like the Grand Canyon. The Viceroy says the expedition was absolute failure, but Francisco remains governor. In 1544 he was removed from the office for doing things to Indians. He is sent to work in a minor position in mexico City.
Accomplishments
Although Fransisco Vasquez De Coronado did not find the Seven Cities of Gold he did find the Grand Canyon, Arizona, and Mexico City.
Watch this small picture video I made of Francisco Vasquez De Coronado. Enjoy
Francisco Vasquez De Coronado died September 22, 1554 :[
~~~~~~~~ By: Astrid Acosta [: ~~~~~~~~
