Introduction to De Soto’s Discovery
In 1541 Spanish conquistador and explorer Hernando De Soto embarked on a remarkable journey to North America, equipped with the desire to discover new lands and the conquest of the New World. In April of that year, after leading an army through the wilderness of Florida and other southern regions, they reached the Mississippi River. This is arguably the most significant discovery of De Soto’s expedition — one that changed the course of history as it provided a direct route to the west.
Background to the Discovery
In the 15th century, explorers Christopher Columbus, Giovanni Caboto, and Juan Ponce de Leon had already sailed to the Americas and determined that these lands were a new, unseen continent. This sparked an ever-growing interest in the region, resulting in Exquemelin’s book ‘The Buccaneers of America’ in 1678, which encouraged other nations to expedite their explorations of the region.
The Spanish were the first to respond to this call. From 1517 – 1554, Spanish conquistadores searched throughout the region in an attempt to find routes and resources to expand their empire. This included Hernando De Soto and his expedition of over 500 men, who set out to “take possession of this newly discovered land and its treasures.”, in the words of Gonzalo Fernandez de Oviedo.
De Soto’s Expedition
De Soto’s expedition was a long and arduous one. He began his journey by raising an army of almost 700 men, setting off from the port city of Sanlúcar de Barrameda in Spain. He likely chose to take his supplies down this route for safety and to keep away from the scrutiny of potential rivals of Spain, such as the French.
Having sailed from Spain, De Soto and his men began their journey in April of 1541 by crossing over to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. From there, they followed the trail of other Spanish conquistadores who had journeyed to the Americas before them — specifically, Diego Velázquez and the expedition of Juan Ponce de Leon.
They then proceeded on their journey, eventually reaching the Coosa River in March of 1542. After spending a few months in the region, they continued in a noreasterly direction and eventually reached the Mississippi River. From there, they followed the river and explored the lands around it, eventually reaching the western lands of Arizona in July of 1542.
The Impact of De Soto’s Discovery
The impact of De Soto and his expedition was far-reaching and significant. His discovery of the Mississippi River provided much-needed access to the western lands of their conquest, allowing for Spain to further expand their empire. In addition to this, his discovery opened up new opportunities for trade and commerce, creating a strong connection between Europe and the Americas.
Furthermore, De Soto’s expedition encouraged other European nations to enter the Americas, sparking a “golden age” of exploration and conquest. As a result, the United States of America was eventually formed, with the Mississippi River playing a large role in the development of the nation.
Additionally, De Soto’s expedition had a significant effect on the native peoples of the Americas. His presence led to the spread of diseases and other losses of life, which had a devastating effect on the native populations. Over time, this resulted in the displacement of many native peoples, as they were forced to move away from their homelands due to Spanish encroachment. It could be argued that this ultimately led to an uneven balance of power between the native peoples and the Europeans.
De Soto’s Legacy
De Soto’s expedition was a pivotal moment in history, leading to subsequent journeys by scientists, military personnel and adventurers — many of which are remembered today. While controversial in regards to the native populations and their displacement, his expedition is seen as a great feat of courage and exploration. As a Spanish conquistador, De Soto was ultimately remembered for his discovery of the Mississippi River, and as a result, his legacy will remain for centuries to come.
Examination of De Soto’s motives
To this day, de Soto’s reasons for journeying to the Americas remain somewhat mysterious. Historians believe that his expedition was mostly motivated by three key factors. Firstly, the desire to bring glory and honour to Spain, by exploring and subsequently conquering new lands that had not been discovered by Spain before.
Secondly, the quest for gold and other natural resources, acting as an incentive for him and his men to venture into the unknown. Finally, the religious fervour of the Spanish people, inspiring De Soto and his men to spread the Catholic faith in the newly discovered lands.
Examining these possible motives, it can be assumed that de Soto’s expedition was, at its core, motivated by a desire to explore and ultimately expand the Spanish Empire.
Popularity of de Soto’s Expedition
De Soto’s exploration of the Americas was celebrated by Spanish authorities, as it provided them with an intricate knowledge of the region and its inhabitants. As a result, his expedition was widely documented and discussed throughout Europe, becoming a popular topic of conversation, and later, films and television shows. As a result, he gained enormous notoriety amongst Europeans and the rest of the world.
Today, De Soto is still remembered as a legendary Conquistador and explorer, who made some of the most significant discoveries in history. He is celebrated by numerous organisations who seek to honor his legacy and reinforce the importance of exploration and discovery. His expedition can also be seen in many monuments and walking trails all over the United States, allowing for everyone to experience the importance of De Soto’s discovery.
Ethical Implications of De Soto’s Expedition
The discovery of the Mississippi River opens up a entirely new discussion, that of the ethical implications of De Soto’s expedition. While this discovery was hugely beneficial to Spanish settlers, it had a huge and lasting impact on the native peoples of the area. The conquest and subsequent displacement of the native people to make way for European exploration and land grabbing had significant ramifications on the population, resulting in a loss of life, and the sense of belonging amongst their people.
Today, many believe that what De Soto and other European settlers did to the native population was wrong. However, it should be noted that this was a product of a different time, where the goal of exploration and conquest was to expand the power of the nation. It is from this perspective that we examine the ethical implications of his expedition, and learn from it in order to not make the same errors in the future.
Conclusion
The discovery of the Mississippi River by Hernando de Soto was a monumental moment in history and it is still celebrated today. This discovery opened up in numerous new opportunities and helped shape the Americas as we know it today. De Soto’s adventure also had a huge impact on the native populations, leading to displacement and significant losses of life that should not be forgotten. Ultimately, De Soto enduring legacy lives on in the numerous monuments and routes dedicated to him, reminding us of his courageous expedition, and the importance of exploration.
