USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Cabeza de Vaca was the first Southwestern writer. His book about his adventures, La Relación (The Account), was originally written after his return to Spain in 1537 as a report to the king.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Account: Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca’s Relación, edited and translated by José Fernández and Martin Favata, is a new and improved translation of Spanish explorer Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca’s chronicle of his amazing journey across a large portion of what is now the United States.

Detailed explanation-3: -Why did Cabeza de Vaca write La relación? This video suggests that Cabeza de Vaca may have written his book to convince the king of Spain to treat the Indians more humanely (and make some money for himself as well). This video describes book publishing and education in early 16th century Spain.

Detailed explanation-4: -La relación tells the story of Cabeza de Vaca and three companions who shipwreck along the Texas coast in 1528. It documents their travels through Texas and into the greater southwest and Mexico, including their encounters with various Native American Tribes.

Detailed explanation-5: -A year later, Cabeza de Vaca returned to Spain, where he wrote his account of the expedition, La Relación (The Account), as a report to the king. Cabeza de Vaca by appointing him governor of a South American colony, where his humane treatment of Native Americans may have cost him his job.