Where Did Francisco Vazquez De Coronado Explore

Francisco Vásquez de Coronado's name is etched in history as a prominent figure in the Spanish colonization of the Americas. Leading a massive expedition through what is now the southwestern United States, Coronado sought the legendary "Cities of Gold," driven by tales of immense wealth and the desire to expand the Spanish empire. His journey, while ultimately fruitless in its primary goal, resulted in the exploration of vast territories, encounters with numerous indigenous cultures, and a lasting impact on the landscape and history of the region.

This article delves into the specific regions explored by Francisco Vásquez de Coronado during his ambitious expedition, examining the motivations, challenges, and consequences of his journey. From the deserts of Arizona to the plains of Kansas, we will trace Coronado's path and explore the legacy of his explorations.

The Spark: Legends of Cíbola and the Quest for Gold

The seeds of Coronado's expedition were sown by the tales of Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, a Spanish explorer who, along with three companions, survived a shipwreck off the coast of Florida in 1528. After years of wandering through the American Southwest, Cabeza de Vaca and his companions eventually reached Spanish settlements in Mexico. Their stories, particularly those mentioning wealthy indigenous civilizations to the north, ignited the imagination of Spanish officials.

These stories coalesced into the legend of the Seven Cities of Cíbola, said to be brimming with gold and other riches. While Cabeza de Vaca himself downplayed the wealth of the natives he encountered, others embellished the accounts, fueling the belief that a new El Dorado awaited discovery.

Francisco Vásquez de Coronado: A Leader Chosen

Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, a young and ambitious nobleman, was appointed governor of the province of Nueva Galicia (present-day northwestern Mexico) in 1538. He quickly became embroiled in the rumors of Cíbola, and in 1539, he dispatched a scouting party led by Friar Marcos de Niza to verify the tales.

Friar Marcos returned with a glowing report, claiming to have seen Cíbola from a distance and describing it as a city larger than Mexico City. His account, though later proven to be exaggerated, convinced Coronado to launch a full-scale expedition.

The Coronado Expedition: A Massive Undertaking

In 1540, Coronado assembled a massive expedition, comprising over 300 Spanish soldiers, hundreds of indigenous allies and servants, and thousands of livestock, including horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs. The expedition set out from Compostela, Nueva Galicia, with Coronado at its helm, determined to claim the riches of Cíbola for Spain.

Arizona: The Disappointment of Hawikuh

The expedition's first major destination was Hawikuh, one of the Zuni pueblos in present-day western New Mexico. Friar Marcos had identified Hawikuh as the first of the Seven Cities of Cíbola. However, upon arrival, the Spanish conquistadors were met with a fortified pueblo inhabited by Zuni warriors who resisted their invasion. After a brief but fierce battle, the Spanish forces captured Hawikuh.

To Coronado's dismay, Hawikuh was nothing like the golden city described by Friar Marcos. It was a modest pueblo made of stone and mud, with no gold or precious metals to be found. The Spaniards were bitterly disappointed, realizing that they had been misled.

New Mexico: Encounters and Conflicts

Despite the disappointment of Hawikuh, Coronado pressed on, exploring other Zuni pueblos and eventually reaching the Rio Grande Valley in present-day central New Mexico. Here, the expedition encountered numerous Pueblo villages, each with its own distinct culture and traditions.

• Tiguex War: The Spanish established their winter quarters near the Tiguex pueblos, demanding supplies and labor from the local population. The natives, resentful of the Spanish demands and mistreatment, eventually revolted, leading to the brutal Tiguex War. The conflict lasted for months, resulting in the destruction of several pueblos and the death of hundreds of natives and Spanish soldiers.
• Cicúye (Pecos Pueblo): During the winter spent in the Rio Grande Valley, Coronado heard tales of a rich civilization living to the east, on the other side of the mountains. He sent Captain Hernando de Alvarado to investigate. Alvarado reached the large and powerful Cicúye pueblo (now known as Pecos Pueblo), located east of present-day Santa Fe. The natives of Cicúye told Alvarado of even more prosperous lands further east, known as Quivira.

Texas Panhandle: A False Lead

Intrigued by the stories of Quivira, Coronado sent out a new expedition to locate this legendary kingdom. He entrusted this mission to a Pawnee man, whom the Spanish called "El Turco" (The Turk), who claimed to know the way to Quivira.

Guided by El Turco, Coronado and his men ventured east, crossing the Pecos River and entering the Texas Panhandle. They traversed the vast plains, enduring harsh conditions and encountering nomadic Plains Indians, including the Querechos (Apaches) and the Teyas (Wichitas).

However, as the expedition progressed, Coronado grew suspicious of El Turco's guidance. The land was nothing like the rich and prosperous Quivira described by El Turco. Instead, they found only nomadic tribes living in simple dwellings. It became clear that El Turco was leading them astray, possibly to lure them into a trap.

Kansas: The Real Quivira

Convinced that El Turco was deceiving him, Coronado pressed on, eventually reaching the land of the Wichita Indians in central Kansas. This was the real Quivira, but it was far from the golden city of legend. The Wichita were farmers and hunters who lived in grass houses and cultivated corn, beans, and squash. They possessed no gold or silver, much to Coronado's disappointment.

Coronado realized that he had been chasing a phantom, that the stories of Quivira's wealth were nothing more than rumors and exaggerations. He executed El Turco for his deception and, after a brief exploration of the region, decided to return to New Mexico.

The Return and Aftermath

In 1542, Coronado led his expedition back to New Mexico and then back to Mexico. The expedition was deemed a failure by the Spanish authorities, who had hoped for a lucrative discovery. Coronado faced accusations of mismanagement and was even subjected to a formal inquiry. Although he was eventually cleared of wrongdoing, his reputation was tarnished.

Despite the failure to find gold, Coronado's expedition had significant historical consequences. It resulted in the exploration of vast territories, including present-day Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. The expedition also provided valuable information about the indigenous cultures of the Southwest and the Great Plains.

Areas Specifically Explored by Coronado:

To summarize, here's a breakdown of the key regions explored during the Coronado expedition:

• Arizona: Coronado's expedition entered Arizona, specifically the western part of the state, during their approach to the Zuni pueblos. While their stay in Arizona was brief, it marked the beginning of Spanish exploration in the region.
• New Mexico: New Mexico was the heart of Coronado's expedition. The Spanish spent considerable time exploring the Rio Grande Valley, encountering numerous Pueblo villages, and engaging in the Tiguex War. They also visited Cicúye (Pecos Pueblo) in the eastern part of the state.
• Texas Panhandle: Coronado's expedition ventured into the Texas Panhandle in search of Quivira. They crossed the Pecos River and traversed the plains, encountering nomadic Plains Indians.
• Oklahoma: While the expedition did not spend extensive time in Oklahoma, they likely crossed through the western part of the state during their journey to Kansas.
• Kansas: Coronado's expedition reached central Kansas, where they found the real Quivira, the land of the Wichita Indians. They explored the region and interacted with the Wichita people.

Legacy of Coronado's Exploration

Coronado's expedition, though failing in its primary objective of finding riches, left an indelible mark on the history of the American Southwest. His exploration of the region:

• Opened the way for future Spanish colonization: Coronado's expedition paved the way for future Spanish exploration and colonization of the Southwest. Although Spain initially showed little interest in the region after Coronado's failure, missionaries and settlers eventually followed in his footsteps, establishing Spanish settlements and spreading Christianity.
• Introduced European livestock and agriculture: The expedition introduced horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs to the Southwest. These animals had a significant impact on the environment and the indigenous cultures of the region.
• Documented Indigenous Cultures: Despite the violence and exploitation that accompanied the expedition, Coronado's chroniclers provided valuable descriptions of the indigenous cultures of the Southwest and the Great Plains. These accounts offer insights into the lives, customs, and beliefs of the Pueblo, Apache, Wichita, and other tribes.
• Shaped the Landscape: The movement of thousands of people and animals across the landscape left a lasting impact on the environment. The introduction of new species, the depletion of resources, and the disruption of traditional land management practices all contributed to ecological changes.

Conclusion

Francisco Vásquez de Coronado's expedition was a pivotal moment in the history of the American Southwest. Driven by the allure of gold and the desire to expand the Spanish empire, Coronado led a massive expedition through present-day Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Although he failed to find the fabled Cities of Gold, his exploration of the region had far-reaching consequences, opening the way for future Spanish colonization, introducing European livestock and agriculture, documenting indigenous cultures, and shaping the landscape.

While Coronado's legacy is complex and controversial, his journey remains a significant chapter in the history of the American West. His exploration of the region, though motivated by conquest and greed, contributed to our understanding of the diverse cultures and landscapes of the Southwest and the Great Plains. It serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of exploration and the complex relationship between cultures in the Americas.

What lessons can we learn from Coronado's quest? How do we view the legacy of exploration and its impact on indigenous populations? These are important questions to consider as we reflect on the history of the American West.