Discovering Alabama

The Spanish in Alabama

• Both Columbus and Vespucci made several voyages to America, but never came to the land we call Alabama.

Early Spanish Explorers (Pages 36-37)

Early Spanish Explorers (Pages 36-37)

• In 1519 Alonso de Pineda entered Mobile Bay with 4 ships. He reported seeing Indian villages.

Early Spanish Explorers (Pages 36-37)

• Panfilo de Narvaez tried to start a colony on the Florida Gulf Coast, but he was not successful; a hurricane had destroyed some of his ships off the coast of Cuba.

Early Spanish Explorers (Pages 36-37)

• Narvaez sent his remaining ships and men to explore the coast, but he never saw them again.

• Narvaez encountered hostile Indians and one of his men, Juan Ortiz, was captured and lived with the Indians for many years.

Early Spanish Explorers (Pages 36-37)

• Narvaez and his remaining men built several ships and set sail for the Gulf coast. When they reached Mobile Bay they encountered more Indians and Narvaez lost more men.

Early Spanish Explorers (Pages 36-37)

• The Spanish came seeking wealth, especially gold and silver.

Early Spanish Explorers (Page 38)

• The Spanish were not kind to the Indians.

• They stole their corn.

• They made the Indians carry their supplies and forced the women to be their servants.

How did the Spanish treat the Indians?

(Page 38)

• The Indians had never seen horses and were frightened by the Spanish. Their swords, armor, and metal weapons also frightened the Indians.

How did the Spanish treat the Indians?

(Page 38)

Three Cultures in Alabama(Page 39)

• In America the appearance of Europeans and Africans introduced two new cultures to the native Alabama Indian culture.

• This was the beginning of the melding of Indian, European, and African cultures. It can be found in stories, superstitions, medical remedies, words, and foods that live on.