IV. The Early Modern Period, 1500–1800 > H. Latin America, 1500–1800 > 5. The Río De La Plata
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  The Encyclopedia of World History.  2001.
 
 
5. The Río De La Plata
1526–32
 
Sebastián Cabot, in the service of a group of merchants of Sevilla, set out with an expedition to reach the Moluccas but was diverted into the Río de la Plata while searching for a passage to the east. The expedition passed up the Paraná and Paraguay Rivers and founded a short-lived settlement, which Indians, having suffered punitive expeditions, destroyed.  1
 
1535
 
Pedro de Mendoza established permanent colonization of the area.  2
 
1536
 
Mendoza founded Buenos Aires (Santa María de Buenos Aires) on the estuary of the Río de la Plata. The Indian population became increasingly hostile. Juan de Ayola and Domingo de Irala led explorations up the Paraná and Paraguay.  3
 
1537
 
Abandoning Buenos Aires, Juan Salazar de Espinoza led colonists up to the Paraná and Paraguay and founded Asunción. Spaniards established strong ties with Guaraní Indians, adopting many of their customs. Mendoza died on his way to Spain, and colonists elected Irala as governor.  4
 
1542–44
 
The crown named Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca to replace Mendoza. He reached Asunción with more colonists and encountered opposition from Irala, who again became governor and was confirmed by the crown.  5
 
1563
 
Establishment of governorship of Tucumán, under jurisdiction of the audiencia of Charcas.  6
 
1573
 
Juan de Garay, with colonists from Asunción, founded Santa Fe. Spaniards from the northwest settled at Córdoba.  7
 
1580
 
Garay led an expedition from Asunción and refounded Buenos Aires.  8
 
 
 
The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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