What was the primary goal of Hernando De Soto as he explored the American south east
To find gold
To conquer land
To convert Native Americans
To develop trade partners
The primary goal of Hernando De Soto as he explored the American southeast was to find gold.
The primary goal of Hernando De Soto as he explored the American southeast was to find gold.
The primary goal of Hernando de Soto, a Spanish explorer, was to find gold and other valuable resources in the American Southeast. To get this answer, we can look at historical accounts and documents that document de Soto's expedition. These sources reveal that de Soto and his men were specifically looking for sources of gold and other precious metals in their exploration of the southeastern region of North America, which includes parts of modern-day Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas.
De Soto's expedition was motivated by the desire to obtain personal wealth and increase the wealth and power of Spain. They believed that the Southeast region might contain vast amounts of gold, similar to the discoveries made by Spanish explorers in Central and South America. As a result, de Soto and his men traveled through the Southeast, hoping to find new sources of wealth.
While de Soto did encounter indigenous peoples during his exploration, it is important to note that his primary focus was on finding gold and resources rather than converting Native Americans. Although there were interactions between the Spanish expedition and the indigenous peoples they encountered, the primary goal was economic rather than religious or political.
Therefore, the correct answer to your question is: To find gold.