Amerigo Vespucci was an Italian-born merchant and explorer who took part in early voyages to the New World on behalf of Spain around the late 15th century. By that time, the Vikings had established settlements in present-day North America as early as 1, A. In search of fame and fortune, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan c. En route he discovered what is now known as the Strait of Magellan and became the Live TV.
This Day In History. History Vault. Recommended for you. How the Troubles Began in Northern Ireland. Hernando de Soto. Cinco De Mayo Foods: Tacos. Ponce de Leon is best known as the explorer who discovered Florida during his quest for a "Fountain of Youth. Overall he was considerably more subdued than some of the other conquistadors, and although he participated in a pacification program against the natives, his inclinations more peaceful than some of his brethren.
He was a competent administrator as well as an adventurer, and greatly trusted by the Spanish crown. Ponce de Leon was born to a noble family, his uncle by the same name being one of the most notable heroes of the Reconquista. De Leon accompanied Columbus on his second voyage to the new world and eight years later settled in Hispaniola under the governorship of Nicholas Ovando.
During the pacification of the natives of that island, he was a voice of restraint, particular in regard to the fate of women and children, but nontheless followed orders to put down rebellion. After four years of governing the Higuey province of Hispaniola, Ponce de Leon led an expedition to the island of Puerto Rico and shortly thereafter was appointed governor of that island by Ferdinand. His original settlement was near the present day location of San Juan Bautista. Within a few years he was encouraged by Ferdinand to conduct further explorations of Florida, and in fitted an expedition at his own expense.
The legend of the Fountain of Youth originated from one of the old women who worked on De Leon's encomienda, who claimed to have lived in Florida as a young girl, but it is not clear how much De Leon was actually animated by the story. On a return trip to Spain around this time, he married a woman named Leonora, with whom he would eventually have three children.
Some accounts speculate his ambitions may have led him to unofficially explore the area two years earlier. He took 50 soldiers and a single ship, settling near what is now San Juan. A year later, he returned to Hispaniola, having found much gold and opportunity.
The expedition was deemed a success, and he was named governor of Puerto Rico. He soon returned to Puerto Rico, bringing his wife and children. Although some historical accounts make mention of his relatively nonviolent treatment of the native population, the overall effect of enslaving Tainos and the introduction of diseases like smallpox and measles was disastrous to the native population.
In , the king encouraged him to continue searching for new lands, in hopes of finding yet more gold and expanding the Spanish empire. He would hold exclusive rights and be declared governor for life of any lands he came across. In a month's time, he and his men landed on the east coast of Florida. Not realizing he was on the mainland of North America, he thought he had landed on another island. He named the region Florida meaning "flowery" , in reference to its lush floral vegetation and because he discovered it at Easter time, which Spaniards referred to as Pascua Florida "feast of flowers".
In addition, he was not the first European to explore the area.
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