Cabeza de vaca summary

This expedition set sail from Spain in June with five ships and approximately men, including soldiers, officers, and settlers. After a brief stop in the Caribbean to gather more supplies and slaves, they arrived on the west coast of Florida near Tampa Bay in April Almost immediately, the expedition encountered numerous difficulties.

The expedition was conceived with ambitious goals but lacked meticulous planning, particularly in navigation and provisioning. At the time, navigators primarily relied on rudimentary instruments such as the astrolabe and the cross-staff to determine latitude by measuring the angle of the sun or stars above the horizon.

Francisco vázquez de coronado route

These tools were useful but limited in accuracy, especially in determining longitude, which often left explorers uncertain of their exact position. These maps lacked detailed information and often contained significant errors, leading to confusion and misdirection. At that time, ships carried barrels of salted meat, hardtack, and limited fresh water, which were often subject to spoilage and contamination, leading to malnutrition and disease among the crew.

The expedition was unprepared for the severe weather conditions they encountered upon reaching Florida. These deficiencies in navigation and provisioning, coupled with a poor understanding of the local climate and geography, resulted in critical errors in route planning and timing. Upon landing near present-day Tampa Bay in April of , the expedition quickly encountered the Apalachee tribe, known for their formidable resistance to outsiders.

The Apalachees, skilled warriors and deeply connected to their land, were immediately hostile towards the Spanish.

Why did francisco vázquez de coronado explore

Early attempts at peaceful trade or negotiation failed, leading to violent clashes. The Spanish, unfamiliar with the local terrain and already weakened by their voyage, suffered heavy casualties. These confrontations not only depleted the expedition's ranks but also demoralized the survivors, severely undermining their mission objectives.

This decision came after months of fruitless exploration and dwindling supplies.