USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Hernando De Soto was a Spanish explorer who participated in the conquests of Nicaragua and Peru. He also explored parts of nine states in the southeastern part of the United States and was the first European to discover the Mississippi River.

Detailed explanation-2: -De Soto could have marched south to reconvene with his ships along the Gulf Coast, but instead he ordered his expedition northwest in search of America’s elusive riches. In May 1541, the army reached and crossed the Mississippi River, probably the first Europeans ever to do so.

Detailed explanation-3: -They went to a total of ten states that exist today, including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana. De Soto and his men were the first Europeans to reach and cross the Mississippi River.

Detailed explanation-4: -Seeking greater glory and riches, de Soto embarked on a major expedition in 1538 to conquer Florida for the Spanish crown. He and his men traveled nearly 4, 000 miles throughout the region that would become the southeastern United States in search of riches, fighting off Native American attacks along the way.