What did Pedro Menendez do for Florida?
Because King Philip II was disturbed by the potential threat to Spain’s possessions from a settlement of French Huguenots on a strategic part of the Florida coast, he sent Menéndez de Avilés to Florida to establish a colony there and deal with the French.
Why did the French and Spanish fight over Florida?
Image of French settlement in Florida in 1562. The Spanish assault on French Florida began as part of imperial Spain’s geopolitical strategy of developing colonies in the New World to protect its claimed territories against incursions by other European powers.
Who was Pedro Menendez and what did he do?
Pedro Menéndez de Avilés. Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, (born February 15, 1519, Avilés, Spain—died September 17, 1574, Santander), Spaniard who founded St. Augustine, Florida, and was a classic example of the conquistador—intrepid, energetic, loyal, and brutal. Born into the landed gentry, he ran away to sea at age 14.
Why did Pedro Menendez de Aviles establish Florida?
…maintain Spanish sovereignty over Florida, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés destroyed the French colony and founded the city, which he named for St. Augustine, bishop of Hippo, upon whose feast day he had sighted the coast. Except for the 20 years (1763–83) that Florida belonged to England, throughout the following 256…
Why did Menendez want to explore the Atlantic Coast?
He wanted to make sure that all of Florida stayed under Spain’s control. In order to do this, he began to explore and to establish outposts up and down the Atlantic coast. In 1566, Menendez had watchtowers built at Cape Canaveral and Biscayne Bay.
Why was Pedro Menendez named captain of the fleet of the Indies?
In 1554 Emperor Charles V named Menendez captain-general of the Fleet of the Indies, a position which offered great opportunities for personal gain by irregular methods. But, unlike many of his predecessors, Menéndez was a man of integrity and refused to take bribes.