Francisco Vazquez de Coronado – Exploring the Southwest
Francisco Vazquez de Coronado, the captain-general whose name is inextricably linked with the ambitious and ultimately disillusioning expedition of the 1540s, commanded a force far larger and more complex than a simple band of conquistadors. This was a veritable moving colony, a wave of European ambition and enterprise that crashed upon the shores of the northern Mexican and American Southwest indigenous villages and even extended onto the vast plains of the Midwest. Beyond the soldiers and officers, the expedition comprised a multitude of individuals: enslaved people, Aztec and Mexica allies providing essential support, servants attending to the expedition’s needs, skilled herders managing livestock, tailors and cobblers maintaining clothing and footwear, cooks preparing sustenance, and a host of European journeymen contributing their various trades. This diverse assembly painted a vivid picture of the societal layers accompanying Spanish exploration and conquest.
Francisco Vázquez de Coronado y Luján, born in Salamanca, Spain, in 1510 to a noble family, embodied the aspirations of a young nobleman seeking fortune and renown in the New World. At the age of 25, Coronado’s life took a pivotal turn when he joined the entourage of Antonio de Mendoza, the newly appointed Viceroy of New Spain (present-day Mexico). This marked his entry into the vibrant, complex society of colonial Mexico. He soon married Beatriz de Estrada, a young woman of just twelve years, solidifying his position within the colonial hierarchy. Doña Beatriz was the daughter of Alonso de Estrada, a prominent colonial treasurer and governor, and through this union, Coronado inherited a substantial portion of a Mexican estate, granting him considerable wealth and influence. By 1538, his standing had risen further, culminating in his appointment as governor of Nueva Galicia, a strategically important province of New Spain located northwest of Mexico City.
Despite his considerable fortune and elevated status within the burgeoning colony of Mexico, Francisco Vazquez de Coronado harbored ambitions that extended beyond governance and wealth accumulation. He yearned to emulate the feats of renowned Spanish conquistadors who had etched their names into history through conquest and territorial expansion. He was inspired by Hernán Cortés, who masterfully orchestrated the downfall of the mighty Aztec empire, and Francisco Pizarro González, who brutally subdued the Inca civilization and claimed its vast riches for Spain. These figures served as potent examples of the glory and riches that could be attained through exploration and conquest, fueling Coronado’s own desire for similar achievements.
In 1539, driven by rumors and the allure of potential riches, Francisco Vazquez de Coronado initiated a reconnaissance mission northward, dispatching Friar Marcos de Niza, a Franciscan friar, and Estevanico, a seasoned explorer and a survivor of the ill-fated Narváez expedition, on an exploratory journey from Compostela towards the lands that would eventually become New Mexico. This expedition was intended to gather intelligence and assess the potential for future expansion and exploitation. However, the journey took a tragic turn when Estevanico was killed by Zuni Indians, a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in exploring unfamiliar and potentially hostile territories. Upon de Niza’s return, he recounted tales of a magnificent city, said to be as wealthy and grand as Mexico City itself, perched atop a prominent hill. This sparked fervent belief that they had discovered one of the fabled "Seven Cities of Gold," later known as Cíbola. Viceroy Mendoza, captivated by de Niza’s account, began preparations for a large-scale expedition, with the primary objective of conquering Cíbola and claiming its purported riches for the Spanish Crown. The tales of Cíbola and the subsequent expedition by Francisco Vazquez de Coronado are a study in the power of myth and the enduring human desire for wealth and glory.
Mendoza, convinced by the prospects of untold riches, swiftly commissioned Francisco Vazquez de Coronado to lead the expedition to Cíbola. Both men invested substantial sums of their personal fortunes into the venture, demonstrating their unwavering belief in its potential success. Coronado himself went so far as to pawn his wife’s estates for a staggering 70,000 pesos, underscoring the immense financial commitment and the high stakes involved. The grand expedition departed from Compostela, a port city on Mexico’s west coast, on February 23, 1540, embarking on a journey towards the legendary golden cities. The expedition was carefully structured into two components. One, tasked with transporting the bulk of the supplies, sailed north via the Guadalupe River under the command of Hernando de Alarcón. The other group, the main land force, traversed the trail previously followed by Friar Marcos de Niza, retracing his steps towards the unknown.
Leading the land expedition, Francisco Vazquez de Coronado commanded a formidable force, comprising approximately 400 Spanish soldiers, a contingent of 1,300 to 2,000 Mexican Indian allies providing crucial support and manpower, four Franciscan monks tasked with spiritual guidance and conversion efforts, including the now-discredited Friar Marcos de Niza, several enslaved people performing menial labor, servants attending to the needs of the expedition’s leaders, and even family members accompanying their husbands and fathers on this perilous journey. The sheer scale and composition of the expedition underscore the ambitious nature of the undertaking and the diverse motivations of those who participated.
In July 1540, the expedition encountered a group of Zuni Indians in what is now New Mexico. Tensions quickly escalated, leading to clashes between the Spanish forces and the indigenous inhabitants. Coronado’s troops ultimately seized control of the Zuni village, establishing a foothold in the region. Realizing that the fabled Cíbola was not a single, unified city, but rather a collection of smaller settlements, Coronado divided his forces, dispatching them in various directions to explore the surrounding territory and search for the elusive riches. Pedro de Tovar led one group towards the Colorado Plateau, while García López de Cárdenas and his men achieved the distinction of becoming the first Europeans to lay eyes upon the magnificent Grand Canyon, a testament to the expedition’s unintended contributions to geographical discovery.
Francisco Vazquez de Coronado and his expedition spent the winter of 1540-1541 in Tiguex (pronounced tee-wish), a cluster of Pueblo Indian villages situated along the Rio Grande. This period was marked by escalating tensions and conflicts between the Spanish and the native population, culminating in the Tiguex War, a brutal conflict characterized by violence and mistreatment of the indigenous people. The expedition moved eastward in the spring of 1541, crossing the Pecos River and venturing further into the unknown. Along their path, they encountered an Indian man whom the Spanish referred to as "the Turk," who claimed to possess knowledge of a wealthy civilization called Quivira, located far to the east. Intrigued by the prospect of discovering further riches, the Turk led the expedition through present-day Texas and Oklahoma, ultimately guiding them to Kansas, the purported location of Quivira. Upon reaching Quivira, the Spaniards established a camp near a Wichita Indian village, remaining there for 25 days. However, their hopes were dashed as they found no gold or other riches. Enraged by their disappointment and feeling deceived, they executed the Turk in a fit of fury.
The expedition then retraced its steps southward, spending another winter in the Tiguex Province of New Mexico. Around March 1542, Francisco Vazquez de Coronado suffered a severe injury after falling from his horse, a potentially life-threatening incident that further dampened his spirits. Following his recovery, he made the difficult decision to abandon the expedition and return to Mexico, acknowledging the failure to achieve its primary objectives.
The expedition was ultimately deemed a failure. Francisco Vazquez de Coronado, his dreams of fame and fortune shattered and burdened by financial ruin, faced public scorn and discrediting upon his return. Despite this setback, he managed to regain his former position as governor of Nueva Galicia, a post he held until 1544.
Subsequently, Francisco Vazquez de Coronado and his captains were summoned to answer for their actions during the expedition, including allegations of maltreatment of the indigenous peoples they encountered. Charges of war crimes were brought against him and his field master, García López de Cárdenas. While Coronado was ultimately cleared of the charges, Cárdenas was later convicted in Spain for his role in the brutal Tiguex War, highlighting the accountability demanded for atrocities committed against native populations.
Ten years after his return, at the age of 42, Francisco Vazquez de Coronado died in relative obscurity on September 22, 1554, succumbing to an infectious disease. He was buried beneath the altar of the Church of Santo Domingo in Mexico City, a final resting place that belied the grand ambitions he once held.
Unbeknownst to Francisco Vazquez de Coronado, the expedition he led would significantly shape the course of history in the American and Mexican West. The arrival of Spanish explorers and missionaries led to profound shifts in Native American religions, sometimes through forced conversions to incorporate Franciscan and Jesuit teachings. Furthermore, Coronado and his expeditionaries brought back invaluable knowledge of the land and people of the north, paving the way for later Spanish explorers and missionaries to colonize the Southwest.
The Coronado National Memorial in Arizona serves as a lasting tribute to the Coronado Expedition of 1540-1542 and its enduring impact on the culture of northwest Mexico and the southwestern United States. It stands as a reminder of the complex legacy of exploration, conquest, and cultural exchange that continues to shape the region today.