Alvar Nunez Cabeza De Vaca
By: Lauren, Mackinley, and Maddie!!
Important Dates
Important Voyages/What was Explored
Traveled to North America to build colonies in 1527. In 1528, 300 Spaniards landed in present day Tampa Bay ,Florida. Panfilo de Narnez was the leader of the expedition.
During the voyage, a hurricane off the coast of Cuba destroyed the entire group of Spanish ships. Spain soon sent some more. From the very beginning of the trip, the expedition was in trouble. Supplies and provisions never came to the ship.
When they first came to the island, the Native Americans of the Apalachee tribe greeted the sailors. Soon, they found that a strange illness had come upon them. They were hungry, so they had to kill the horses that they owned. By the end of 1528, they had given up. They made rafts from trees and horse hides, and set sail for Cuba.
During the voyage, a hurricane off the coast of Cuba destroyed the entire group of Spanish ships. Spain soon sent some more. From the very beginning of the trip, the expedition was in trouble. Supplies and provisions never came to the ship.
When they first came to the island, the Native Americans of the Apalachee tribe greeted the sailors. Soon, they found that a strange illness had come upon them. They were hungry, so they had to kill the horses that they owned. By the end of 1528, they had given up. They made rafts from trees and horse hides, and set sail for Cuba.
Sponsors of Alvar's Expeditions
The country that sponsored Alvar Nunez Cabeza De Vaca was Spain.Spain gave him all the ships he used on the expedition.
Place of Birth & Childhood
Alvar Nunez Cabez De Vaca was born in Spain. Very little is known about his childhood. As a young man he joined the military.
Motivation
To find his way back to Mexico City, and later to find a route from the East Coast of South America to Spain's colony Peru.
Treatment of Native Americans
The treatment of Native Americans was cruel, because they kidnapped the leader of the tribe. But before, the Native
Americans would trade and be friendly with the crew.
Americans would trade and be friendly with the crew.
Fun facts!
Alvar was a slave and in his years as a slave he learned to heal the sick. The Natives believed he was medicine man. He could perform minor surgeries and cured diseases that Natives thought was magic. The Natives let him visit other tribes to perform healing ceremonies.