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rom Spain to the American Heartland: How Coronado's Perilous Journey Changed Histor
In the 16th century, word-of-mouth rumors about rich rewards and unknown lands in Europe attracted countless explorers, including the Spanish conquistador Francisco Vázquez de Coronado. . He led a large-scale expedition from 1540 to 1542, traveling north from what is now Mexico to what is now Kansas, looking for the legendary golden city of Cíbola. However, his expedition was not just about finding treasure, but also changed the understanding of the map of the Americas and its subsequent historical context.
Early life
Coronado was born in Salamanca, Spain in 1510. He was the second son of a noble family. He came to Mexico in 1535 with Antonio de Mendoza, the first governor of New Spain, and married a young local woman. Coronado inherited a large fortune through his marriage, which allowed him to devote all his energy to future adventures.
Preparation for adventure
As governor of the Kingdom of New Galicia, Coronado sent the friar Marcos de Niza in 1539 to explore the north. When Marcus returned, he reported news of a wealthy city known as the Golden City. Coronado became very interested in this and decided to raise funds to launch a treasure hunt.
Coronado and Mendoza invested a large amount of private capital and finally set out in February 1540, accompanied by many soldiers and local Indian allies.
Journey to Zipporah
At first, Coronado's expedition went relatively smoothly. He sailed along the Gulf of California and then inland. His travels presented a series of challenges, especially while navigating the rugged mountains. When he arrived at the so-called Golden City located on a high hill, he found that it was actually just an ordinary village whose residents were all members of the Zuni tribe.
This discovery made Coronado's soldiers very disappointed and angry at Marcos de Nissa's false reports.
Exploration of the Colorado River
Although Coronado failed to find the Golden City, he continued deep into the interior and discovered the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon, which were spectacular sights witnessed by Europeans for the first time. This expedition not only allowed him to see the mystery of geography, but also opened a new window for later Western explorers.
Conflict with Aboriginal people
Coronado's expedition was not smooth sailing, and conflicts with the indigenous people occurred frequently. During the confrontation with the Zuni, Coronado's troops attacked the residents who refused to cooperate, leading to their resistance and counterattack. This series of conflicts was called the "Cibola War."
The journey to find Quivira
In 1541, Coronado learned about Cuevera, another wealthy area, and led his army north to search for it. They crossed vast plains and encountered the harsh test of the natural environment. Eventually, they discovered the village of Quivira in the Kansas area, but again, it was far from the rich country he imagined.
When Coronado communicated with the local Indians, he discovered that the prosperity of Liweila was actually just a rumor. The people here lived in poverty and could not meet his expectations.
The aftermath of Coronado
Although Coronado's expedition did not bring him the gold and silver treasures he desired, his journey marked the first systematic exploration of the American heartland, paving the way for future European colonists. His journey significantly enhanced European knowledge of North America and revealed the vast land's diversity and complex relationships with the Indians.
After returning to China, Coronado's reputation suffered a setback. He was unable to receive the expected glory and criticism gradually arose. However, his stories and adventures continued to inspire subsequent explorers. Was his historical journey really just an adventure? Or does it more deeply reflect the collision and integration of civilizations?
