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Early Explorers

Early Explorers . Coronado and the Spanish Legacy of the French. Coronado in Oklahoma. During the winter of 1539-40, Francisco Vasquez de Coronado organized an expedition to search for Gold north of the Rio Grande

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Early Explorers

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  1. Early Explorers Coronado and the Spanish Legacy of the French

  2. Coronado in Oklahoma • During the winter of 1539-40, Francisco Vasquez de Coronado organized an expedition to search for Gold north of the Rio Grande • Coronado left the first recorded pieces of information of what is now western Oklahoma while looking for the riches of the Gran Quivira and to convert native people • He described treeless prairies and lack of water • They did not find gold or the Seven Golden Cities, “Cibola”

  3. de Onate • After Spain colonized New Mexico, Juan de Onate led another expedition along the western edge of Oklahoma • They were not attacked to mineral wealth and were thus unimpressed • Once the French became interested in the region after 1700, Spain used it as a way keep France from expanding further west

  4. French explorers • The French also explored parts of Oklahoma in the 1700s, they followed rivers that drained into the Mississippi • They traded with Native Americans and sought alliances with tribes • The first French explorer to record his entry into Oklahoma was Jean-Baptiste BenardSier de la Harpe. La Harpe was hoping to establish an outpost on the Red River

  5. The French established good relationships with the Wichitas and often traded furs with them • Some men even adopted the Native American culture • French often passed through Oklahoma on their way to New Mexico in order to trade with the Spanish

  6. When the French and their allied Native American tribes lost the war with England (Seven Years War) and the colonists, France ceded the Louisiana Territory • The LA Territory included present-day Oklahoma

  7. Oklahoma becomes a part of U.S. • Thomas Jefferson will purchase the Louisiana Territory in 1803 • His decision will be controversial • They have no idea what is really there • Lewis and Clark • Zebulon Pike • Sent Lieutenant Wilkinson through Oklahoma to chart the Arkansas River (they were hoping to find a more direct route to NM)

  8. Wilkinson and his men encountered the Osage • The Osage were generous with their help • Wilkinson didn’t keep very good records because of the early winter he and his men encountered

  9. Lasting legacies of early explorers • French names like Verdigris and Illinois rivers, the San Bois and Ouchita Mountains, even towns like Vian and Poteau • Spanish names for geographic locations like the Cimarron and Canadian rivers, Trujillo, Corrumpa, and Carrizo creeks

  10. Chouteau Family • The Chouteau’s were a prominent fur trading family • Their business was important for linking together the interests of the French and Spanish with North America • Three Forks (meeting place of Arkansas, Neosho (or Grand), and Verdigris rivers) had many rich resources which attracted many Indian nations • This region became extremely important for trade and continued to grow

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