Student
Name
Mr.
Farnsworth
U.S.
History
30
August 2006
Chapter
2 Section 1, Page 36: Why did the Spanish push for settlement in regions of
North America?
While
the Conquistadors completed the establishment of an empire in Central America,
other Spanish explorers looked to settle parts of North America. These out-post were located in southern
parts of the future United States of America.[1] One of the reasons the Spanish settled in
North America was to find the Seven Cities of Cibola. This legend stated that these cities were filled with gold.[2] Forts to protect their trade were a second
reason for Spanish settlement in North America. For example, the textbook authors explain, “The Spanish also
wanted to establish trade routes across the Pacific Ocean, but they realized
that anyone living in California would be able to interfere with this
trade. Thus they began to consider
settlements in California in hopes of keeping their European rivals out of the
region.”[3] As a result of these reasons, the Spanish expanded
into North America and created what would become the old Southwest.
Explanation of Documentation
The following explanation is for your benefit, you do not have to explain your documentation.