Describe what happened to the first Spaniards to arrive in present day New Mexico and the establishment of Santa Fe?

The arrival of the first Spaniards settlers to present day New Mexico and the establishment of Santa Fe started in 1540 and goes to three major events:

1. In the summer of 1540, the Spanish Conquistador Francisco Vazquez de Coronado arrived to New Mexico with a group of 400 Spaniards soldiers and between 1,300 to 2,000 Indians, searching for the legend of the seven cities of gold, which he never found, although Vazquez de Coronado did claim the territory for Spain and remained there until Spring of 1542.

2. In 1598 and led by Juan de Oñate, the Spanish Colonization of the providence of New Mexico started. San Juan de los Caballeros was named its first capital.

3. Governor Pedro de Peralta officially founds Santa Fe in 1610, making it the new capital in place of San Gabriel.

During all these years, the Spanish dedicated themselves to build Catholic missions throughout the entire region, so priests were able to teach Natives American about their religion by any means possible.

Apex: All of the above

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