What happened after Ponce de León discovered Florida?

In 1506, Ponce de León discovered a nearby island named Borinquen. While there, he found large deposits of gold. Soon after his discovery, he left the island. He returned in 1508 on orders from the king of Spain to explore and colonize the island.

How did Juan Ponce de Leon impact the natives?

The Spanish, under Ponce de Leon, made the local natives (called the Tainos) work for them as slaves. They forced the Tainos to farm the land and mine for gold. Between the harsh treatment of the Spanish soldiers and new diseases (like smallpox) brought by the settlers, at least 90% of the Tainos died.

Did Juan Ponce de Leon hurt natives?

Born into Spanish nobility, Juan Ponce de León (1460-1521) may have accompanied Christopher Columbus on his 1493 voyage to the Americas. Thinking it was the island he sought, he sailed back to colonize the region in 1521, but was fatally wounded in a Native American attack soon after his arrival.

What happened when the Europeans came into contact with the Native Americans?

Europeans carried a hidden enemy to the Indians: new diseases. Native peoples of America had no immunity to the diseases that European explorers and colonists brought with them. Diseases such as smallpox, influenza, measles, and even chicken pox proved deadly to American Indians.

What was the effect of Ponce de Leon’s discovery?

Ponce de Leon’s discoveries had several effects. His discovery of Florida led to Spain claiming property in the New World. Also, because Spanish people started settling in Florida, this is what led to the development of Latin America. It is why in Latin America it is primarily Spanish.

Where did Ponce de Leon claim Florida for Spain?

Ponce de León claims Florida for Spain Near present-day St. Augustine, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León comes ashore on the Florida coast, and claims the territory for the Spanish crown. Native Americans inhabited the area that became known as Florida for thousands of years before any European contact.

When did Juan Ponce de Leon die of his wounds?

He died of his wounds in Havana sometime in July 1521. According to legend, while Ponce de León was in Florida he was searching for the Fountain of Youth, a mythical spring that could reverse the effects of aging.

When did Ponce de Leon return to Puerto Rico?

After over half a year of exploring Florida in 1513, Juan Ponce de León returned to Puerto Rico — but Caparra, the settlement he had founded, was in ruins. According to Robert Fuson, it had been attacked by a group of Caribs — a prominent tribe in the Caribbean. The Caribs had burned down much of Caparra and killed a number of Spaniards.