Explorers : The Explorers

Back

Explorers

http://www2.worldbook.com/wc/popup?path=features/explorers&page=html/newworld.html&direct=yes

http://linux1.tlc.north.denver.k12.co.us/~gmoreno/gmoreno/Conquistadors.html

These conquistadors were not men of a gentle nature. They saw themselves as warriors and crusaders, whose mission was to conquer and baptise and in the process to acquire gold and fortunes. The world into which they had been born was one of racial and religious intolerance, of crusading knights, war and change. As a result of their conquest over the Moors they had become convinced of the invincibility of Spanish arms and of their own power and ability in the face of great odds. These characteristics were to serve them well in their adventures in the Americas, as they advanced with unbelivable self confidence and brutality against what seemed impossible odds for survival. Their stories read like modern fiction and without the written documentation so dear to Spanish beaurocracy we might have trouble beleiving their accounts of conquest against the native peoples of the New World.

Balboa

Balboa became acting governor of Darien. He led expeditions into Panama, conquering some Indians and making agreements with others in the area. In 1511, Indians told Balboa of a land called Tubanama, where he could find much gold. According to the Indians, this land was located across the mountains near a great sea.The Spaniards found gold and pearls on the Pacific Coast. Balboa believed his findings would win him an appointment as permanent governor of Darien. Balboa established the town of Acla on the north coast and transported materials across the isthmus to build ships for further conquest and exploration. The Spaniards completed two ships by 1518, and Balboa explored along the Gulf of Panama.

Coronado

Francisco Vasquez de Coronado (1510?-1554), was a Spanish explorer. >From 1540 to 1542, he led an expedition to the American Southwest in search of the legendary Seven Cities of Cibola. Earlier Spanish explorers had told of these cities, which were said to be rich in gold and other treasures. n 1539, Marcos de Niza, a Spanish missionary priest, returned to New Spain from a journey to the north. He claimed to have seen a golden city, Cibola, among the Zuni Indians in the region. Niza's account and stories by Alva Nunez Cabeza de Vaca and other Spanish explorers led to Coronado's Cibola expedition. In July, Coronado reached the place he identified as Cibola, in the area of what is now Gallup, New Mexico. The Zuni Indians there fought to defend their territory, but the Spaniards defeated them and established a camp at the site. To the Spaniards' bitter disappointment, the town they thought was the legendary Cibola was not a golden city. It was instead a small village called Hawikuh, which was inhabited by about 100 families.

In July, Coronado reached the place he identified as Cibola, in the area of what is now Gallup, New Mexico. The Zuni Indians there fought to defend their territory, but the Spaniards defeated them and established a camp at the site. To the Spaniards' bitter disappointment, the town they thought was the legendary Cibola was not a golden city. It was instead a small village called Hawikuh, which was inhabited by about 100 families.

Brainstorm

• The conquistadors were not alone in the new world. Not only did they have competing explorers from Spain and other European countries to contend with, but they also had to put up with politics on lands where the European nations had put down roots.
• Conquistadors had to contend with both Spanish and native wars. The conquistadors would war between themselves for power.
• Explorers need approval from the crown for exploration. This could come directly from the crown, or indirectly from governors already in the new world.
• Having bearers/troops from rival tribes could cause problems for the explorer.
• The early explorers made alliances with tribes, and this allowed them to not only supply themselves, but also made it possible for them to create much larger armies with which to conquer enemy natives. This was not represented in 7CoG, but it makes a lot of sense for our game. This gives an additional reason to visit new villages and revisit villages where you might have already drained any treasures.
• Typically, much of the gold went to the crown, then to the investors/leaders of the expedition, then much smaller shares went to the men who went on expedition. Much like Pirates! does, I imagine we could inject morale into the expeditions to great effect. Open revolt, for instance, could be something that you will always be struggling with, especially if you are having a hard time coming up with treasure or the potential for treasure on the horizon (rumors/info/maps leading to possible sources of great treasure).
• Your native bearers and troops could decide to leave you.
• It is possible to forage for food for your men if you run out of food. However, even if you have native bearers with you to help you choose your food, you will likely have more men die until you've stocked up again. In addition, hunger will negatively affect your morale.