Settlement
Spaniards founded the first European settlements in the Southeast and Gulf coastal
areas. In 1526, Lucas Vázquez de Ayllón established the first Spanish colony,
which he named San Miguel de Gualdape after the Guale Indians. Located near
Sapelo Sound in present-day Georgia, the community did not survive because of
poor planning and difficult weather conditions. In 1559, Tristán de Luna y Arrellano
established a settlement in Pensacola, which also failed.
In 1565, King Phillip II commissioned the Captain of the Indies’ Fleet, Pedro
Menéndez de Avilés, to establish a colony in Florida. Menéndez de Avilés founded
St. Augustine, the first permanent European settlement in present-day United
States. Other imperial powers repeatedly destroyed the town, but Spaniards always
rebuilt it..
[122 words]
Citation
“La Florida,” in Pintura del gobernador, alcaldes y regidores de México, Códice
Osuna. [Painting of the governor, mayors and administrators of Mexico, Osuna
Codex]. National Library of Spain. Manuscript Section.
Caption
Several of the earliest Spanish attempts at settlement were defeated by hostile
Indians. This document depicts relates to the indigenous Mexican forces accompanying
Tristán de Luna y Arellano’s failed expedition to Florida in 1559-62.
Citation
Phillip II, King of Spain (1556-1598) [Philip II, King of Spain, head-and-shoulders
portrait, facing right], Antonio Moro, [1870-1920?]. Library of Congress. Prints & Photographs
Division
Caption
Philip II ruled Spain at the height of its imperial glory, winning over the
Turks at Lepanto in 1571, incorporated Portugal into Spain in 1580, the Philippines
(named after Phillip II) were likewise conquered, the war in the Netherlands
ended. Phillip II was a masterful manager of Spain’s overseas empire. The
only dark spot was when his Armada was defeated by the British in 1588. In
America
the Inca resistance in Peru had collapsed, and expeditions were moving up
from Mexico into what is now the southern United States.
Citation
Pedro Menendez de Aviles / Josef Camaron lo dibo. ; Franco. de Paula
Marti lo grabo año 1791, Francisco de Paula Martí, [1791]. Library of Congress,
Prints & Photographs Division.
Caption
Shown in this late 18th century engraving, Menéndez de Avilés was responsible
for the security of treasure fleets returning to Spain from the Indies.