Topic 2 The Age of Contact

What conclusion does the information in this chart support?

• LaSalle willfully disobeyed the orders of the French king.

• The Spanish perceived the French as a threat.

• The Spanish were more concerned with the Indians than the French.

• LaSalle had hoped to pit the Spanish and the Indians against each other.

Answer explanation

The information in the chart supports the conclusion that the Spanish perceived the French as a threat. This is because the chart likely shows interactions or events that demonstrate the Spanish taking actions to counter or defend against French activities, indicating their concern about the French presence or intentions.

Which explorer mapped the coast of Texas?

• Alonso Álvarez de Piñeda
• Hernan Cortes
• Christopher Columbus
• Francisco Vasquez de Coronado

Which European explorer shipwrecked in Matagorda Bay while searching for the mouth of the Mississippi River?

• Hernan Cortes

• Rene-Robert Cavalier Sieur de la Salle

• Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca

• Francisco Vasquez de Coronado

Answer explanation

The correct answer is Rene-Robert Cavalier Sieur de la Salle. He was a French explorer who led an expedition down the Mississippi River in the 17th century. Unfortunately, he missed the river's mouth and ended up shipwrecked in Matagorda Bay, Texas. The other options, Hernan Cortes, Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, and Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, were also explorers but they did not have this specific experience.

What motivated European sailors to explore the Americas?

• desire to escape crushing debts
• desire to spread democracy
• desire for gold
• desire to relieve overcrowding

Who was the first European explorer to discover the Americas?

• Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca

• Rene Robert Cavalier Sieur de la Salle

• Santa Anna

• Christopher Columbus

Answer explanation

Christopher Columbus is the correct answer. He was an Italian explorer who completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, opening the way for widespread European exploration and the eventual conquest of the Americas. His expeditions, sponsored by the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, were the first European contact with the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.

The main impact that French settlement had on Texas History is that _________________.

• It brought a rich French heritage to Texas that still exists today.

• It shifted Spanish interest from only Mexico to Texas and the Gulf Coast.

• It drove Spanish settlers out of Texas.

• The French never landed in Texas.

Answer explanation

The main impact of French settlement on Texas history was that it shifted Spanish interest from focusing solely on Mexico to also include Texas and the Gulf Coast. This occurred because the French presence in the region threatened Spanish claims, prompting Spain to establish missions and settlements in Texas to solidify their control.

Cabeza de Vaca was captured by the ______ and made a ________.

• Comanche, slave
• Apache, friend
• Karankawa, friend
• Karankawa, slave

Spanish explorers who came to conquer land were called

• Conquistadors.
• Friars.
• Explorers.
• Viceroys.

Alvar Nunez de Cabeza de Vaca is best known today for

• discovering Texas.
• exploring Texas.
• establishing a permament settlement in Texas.
• conquering Texas.

What does the image tell about Francisco Vasquez de Coronado's expedition in 1540?

• The expedition's main purpose was to trade with the American Indians.

• The expedition relied heavily on information from American Indians.

• The expedition was not prepared to deal with attacks from American Indians.

• The expedition's main purpose was to spread Christianity to American Indians.

Answer explanation

The image highlights that Francisco Vasquez de Coronado's expedition in 1540 relied heavily on information from American Indians. This is evident as the correct choice among the given options. The other options, such as the expedition's main purpose being trade or spreading Christianity, or being unprepared for attacks, are not supported by the image.