Hernando de Soto Videos
In December 1540, Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto led an army of men across the Chikashsha, or modern-day Tombigbee River.
15 Items
De Soto Invades and Chickasaws Ensue Surprise Night Attack
Brad LiebThe first historical mention of the Chickasaws occurs as de Soto and his Conquistadors attempted a river crossing in search of winter quarters.
1540: De Soto Arrives in a "Little Ice Age"
Richard GreenClimatologists assert that the Mississippi area was much colder in 1540 than it is today.
The Chickasaws: Knowing of de Soto's Brutality and Demands
Richard GreenThe Chickasaws had heard of de Soto’s brutality on the “Indian grapevine” and retreated to their villages.
The Chickasaws: Leaving a Village and Food for de Soto
Richard GreenDe Soto always demanded food, so the Chickasaws vacated one of their villages for de Soto’s army to occupy, also leaving them a supply of food.
The Chickasaws' Surprise Night Attack: A Decisive Defeat
Richard GreenTribal Historian Richard Green tells the remarkable story of how, on the eve of de Soto’s departure the Chickasaws famously attacked.
De Soto Defeated by Chickasaw Tribe
Brad LiebThe Chickasaws quickly earned a valuable reputation as a "ferocious" tribe with the European explorers after their surprise attack on de Soto.
The Significance of de Soto
Scott PardueScott Pardue shares the significance of de Soto's exploration throughout the Southeastern United States.
Why Didn't the Chickasaws Kill de Soto?
Richard GreenRichard Green notes historians don’t agree on the number of de Soto’s camp who were killed – from a dozen to many more.
De Soto Was No Hero
Richard GreenRichard Green describes two vastly different historical viewpoints about De Soto.
De Soto Expedition: Telling a Balanced Story
Scott PardueScott Pardue explains the importance of telling the story of De Soto in a balanced way.
Chickasaws Complete the de Soto Story
Scott PardueScott Pardue believes it is important for the Chickasaws to share their perspective of de Soto.
De Soto: A Tragic Figure
Scott PardueIf de Soto had returned to Spain he would not have been a hero since he failed to find gold.
De Soto from the Native Perspective
Scott PardueThe retelling of the de Soto story has been biased from a European perspective. It is time for Native Americans to offer their perspectives.
De Soto Arrives in North America: A Great Collision of Cultures
Hermann TrappmanHistorian and artist Hermann Trappman describes the cultural clash when European explorers arrived on the North American continent.
The Native Outlook on a Sustainable Way of Life
Hermann TrappmanHermann Trappman, historian and artist, discusses how the Native Americans viewed the world differently than the European conquistadors.
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