Oscar Hernandez 5/26/09
Ms Owens/Social Studies GR-6
AEP HR-222
Are you familiar with a Spanish Conquistador and explorer of the 1500s? This explorer is the first European to explore South East America and Florida. Still don't know who I am talking about?His name was Hernando de Soto. He also conquered lands besides exploring. He made major discoveries in his journies and traded items from the new land. Welcome to his life!
De Soto was born in the 1500s. Although his birth date is just an estimate, exoperts know that he was born between 1498-1500. They have decided that the 1500s is the best choice.Althoagh de Soto's family was of noble blood, his family was poor and were struggling to maintane themselves. Hernando de Soto wanted to support his family he couldnt becuase all the jobs that were left are for the lower class people. All he could do is just keep going to school. The problem was that he wasnt what we call today a straight "A" student, he didnt do aswell as his classmates. Later that year the king had a task for young de Soto.
In 1514 Hernando de Soto was sent to captain Davila's ship to help him with the journey to the Indies. This was the first time de Soto left his home country Spain and travel the ocean blue, but this journey would not be his last. While sailing to the Indies, de Soto fell in love with the captains daughter Ines de Bobadilla. Five years later, after de Soto's journey with Davila the king sends de Soto on another; this time as captain. He sailed to Panama in South America. In 1524 he was sent to explore Nicaragua. De Soto decided to live in Nicaragua for a while and in 1525, he started a slave trade.
In 1532, Francisco PIzzaro enlisted de Soto for a journey to Lima, Peru. Once they got there they were killing Atahualpa which were the rulers of the incas. Sooner or later they conquered the inca empire. Pizzaro was later murdered in Peru. In 1536 de Soto returned to Spain to tell the king of the discoveries him and Pizzaro found. In 1537, Hernando de Soto married Ines de Bobadilla. Later that year de Soto was known as the governor of Cuba and Charles V granted the rights for de Soto to conquer Florida.
Hernando de Soto got to the West side of Florida on the date of May 30, 1539. He had brought 10 ships withe over 600 soldiers, priests, and explorers since his encounters with the native Indians were always brutal. They have killed and injured many tribes including the Cherokees, Simenols, Creeks, Appalachians, and Choctals. They spent four years in search of silver and gold. De soto died in 1542 due to a fever. He was buried near the banks of the Mississippi River. He was remembered by his loyal crew which never turned on him like others would do if they are scared. This was the end of his journey.
