Table of Contents
Why did Juan Cabrillo come to California?
Cabrillo was commissioned by Antonio de Mendoza, the Viceroy of New Spain, to explore the Pacific coast in hopes of finding rich cities and the water passage. He was also instructed to meet with Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, who it was believed was crossing overland to the Pacific.
What was the purpose of Juan Rodriguez?
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo led the first European expedition that explored what is now the west coast of the United States. Cabrillo departed from the port of Navidad, Mexico on June 27, 1542. Three months later he arrived at “a very good enclosed port,” which is known today as San Diego Bay.
What was Juan Cabrillo looking for in California?
On September 28, 1542, the Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo arrives in San Diego Bay while searching for the Strait of Anian, a mythical all-water route across North America. Cabrillo was not the first to search for a water passage across the North American continent, and he would not be the last.
Why did the Spanish come to California?
Lacking sufficient settlers, Spain used natives to colonize new lands and provide a labor force to sustain its colonies. California’s missions were one leg of a far-flung mission system that extended to Baja California and the present-day states of Florida, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.
Did Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo have a family?
He took an indigenous woman as his common-law wife and sired three daughters. [citation needed] Later he married the Spanish Beatriz Sanchez de Ortega in Seville during a hiatus in Spain. She bore him two sons.
What made California so important for the US to acquire?
With the Gold Rush came a huge increase in population and a pressing need for civil government. In 1849, Californians sought statehood and, after heated debate in the U.S. Congress arising out of the slavery issue, California entered the Union as a free, nonslavery state by the Compromise of 1850.
How did California join the US?
In 1849, Californians sought statehood and, after heated debate in the U.S. Congress arising out of the slavery issue, California entered the Union as a free, nonslavery state by the Compromise of 1850.
When did Juan Cabrillo discover the coast of California?
Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo (died 1543) was a Portuguese explorer in service to the Spanish. He is best known for his exploration of the coast of California in 1542-1543.
What did the Mexican government do to the California missions?
In 1833, the Mexican government passed a law that secularized and ended missions. California was part of Mexico during this time. Some of the mission land and buildings were turned over to the Mexican government. While much of the property was intended to be given back to the natives, private owners ended up with the majority of land.
What did Junipero Serra do at the missions?
At San Diego, Serra founded the first of 21 Spanish missions that extend along the California coast. In October of the same year, a detachment of the expedition saw San Francisco Bay. The missions were an important aspect of Spanish colonization. At the missions, Native Americans were converted to Christianity and taught various skills.
Who was Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo and what did he do?
Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo (died 1543) was a Portuguese explorer in service to the Spanish. He is best known for his exploration of the coast of California in 1542-1543. Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo served under the command of Pánfilo de Narváez and aided him in the conquest of Cuba about 1518.