Title: Mr. Nussbaum - Hernando de Soto Biography
Headings: Hernando de Soto Biography
Hernando de Soto Biography
Hernando de Soto
Early Life
Glory and Conquest
Into the Southeast in Search of Gold
Discovery of the Mississippi River
Questionable Legacy

Content: From an early age, de Soto gained a reputation for bravery, intellect, and brutality. In 1528, de Soto became regidor of Guatemala and sailed from there to the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, hoping to find a passage from the Atlantic to Pacific Ocean that would enable Spanish trade with the East Indies. The expedition ultimately failed, and de Soto joined Francisco Pizarro and his conquest of South America. Because de Soto had a major part in the conquest of the Incan Empire, he became fabulously wealthy upon his return to Spain. De Soto was made governor of Cuba and was expected to colonize the mainland of North America. He chose 620 men for the voyage from Cuba to the interior of North America. De Soto hoped to find the passage from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Into the Southeast in Search of Gold
In May of 1539, de Soto, 620 men, and 220 horses landed at Charlotte Harbor, Florida. He named it Espíritu Santo after the Holy Spirit. The expedition then traveled north through the peninsula of Florida where they endured native ambushes along the way.