Title: Hernando De Soto Biography - Childhood, Life Achievements & Timeline
Headings: Hernando de Soto
Biography

Hernando de Soto Biography
Quick Facts
Who was Hernando de Soto?
Childhood & Early Life
You May Like
Later Life
Major Expedition
Personal Life & Legacy

Content: During this time he heard about Cabeza de Vaca's exploration of Florida and the other Gulf Coast states, and was motivated to explore the regions himself. His primary motive was to seek the riches which he believed lay hidden in those unexplored lands. He started planning for his voyage to North America and assembled a fleet of 100 ships and selected 700 able bodied men to accompany him. He set sail in April 1538. Enroute to North America, the expedition stopped in Cuba where they helped to rebuild the city of Havana after the French had plundered it. They left Cuba and set forth for Florida in May 1539. De Soto and his men spent the next three years exploring the area during which they faced attacks from the natives. The crew also journeyed to Georgia and Alabama, and then headed westward, discovering the mouth of the Mississippi River in the process. The expedition proved to be a perilous one. Even after three years the men were yet to come across the treasures they were seeking.