Vasco Nunez de Balboa
Hero? OR Villian?
Balboa was born in the Spanish city of Jerez de los Caballeros, a province of Badajoz, in 1475. He was from a Hidalgo family and that he had three brothers, Alvaro, Juan, and Gonzalo Nuñez de Balboa. Since his family was not wealthy and there was little future for him at home, Vasco was sent at a young age, to learn the art of arms. He went to the castle of Don Pedro Portocarrero (el Sordo), the Lord of Moguer. As a page, he learned the art of war, and how to master all weapons of war. He excelled in the use of the sword and became the best student of all of the young men sent there for education. Don Pedro Portocarrero, was a very decorated war hero and had distinguished himself in battle. His reputation, attracted many families to send their sons there for an education. Besides military training, (horseback riding, hunting and fighting with the lance and sword) the pages were instructed in history, mathematics, science, religion, and the fine art of being Hidalgos (gentlemen). When he graduated, there were few jobs available for officers in the army, since the Catholic Majesties had already defeated the Moors in Granada, in 1492 and had already disbanded the Army. He was able support himself by teaching young men, the use of the sword, and taking jobs as a security guard for merchants. He realized that his future lay in the Indies, and he tried to become a member of any expedition, going there. http://www.bruceruiz.net/PanamaHistory/vasco_nunez_balboa_1.htm
[[Balboa's route on his explorations]]
1. Who Sponsored Balboa?
Spanish explorer in America. Considered the first of the conquistadors (leaders of the Spanish conquest in the western hemisphere). Unlike later conquistadors, he utilized diplomacy instead of force in dealing with the Native Americans. In 1513 Balboa was accused of treason by his enemies in Spain, who turned the king against him. In hope of winning the king’s favor with some new discovery, Balboa decided to find the rumored great sea on the other side of the isthmus. More information!!!!!
2. What was the purpose of the trip? Were they successful? Did your explorer have other motives?
How successful was Balboa in finding what he was looking for? Click on the question to find out!
3. Where Did Balboa Go
Balboa is best known as the first European to see the Pacific Ocean. Balboa sailed to Venezuela in 1501 with an expedition led by Rodrigo de Bastidas. After exploring the southwestern Caribbean area with Bastidas, he became a planter on the island of Hispaniola. By 1510 the plantation had failed. Deep in debt and anxious to escape his creditors, Balboa fled to the settlement of San Sebastián on the coast of Colombia. Balboa explored the inland areas and brought the Native Americans under Spanish rule. In September 1513, with 190 Spanish soldiers and 1000 Native Americans, he made the arduous westward journey from the Atlantic side of the isthmus through some of the thickest jungles on the continent. On September 29 he reached his destination, named it Mar del Sur (South Sea), and claimed it for Spain. Learn More!
4. Was Balboa peaceful? Did he conquer other peoples? Did he harm other peoples?
Both the colony and Balboa himself thrived under his policies, making friends with surrounding indians, and subduing and looting those who did not want to. His Indian policy combined the use of barter, every kind of force, including torture, to extract information, and the tactic of divide and conquer by forming alliances with certain tribes against others.
5. Did Balboa change the course of history?
Considered by many historians as the greatest Conquistador that had very lived. If he would have believed that Pedrarias was really out to get him, and instead left with his men to look for Biru, (Peru), history would have been totally different for the Incas. Balboa was a great commander, that had great respect for the native inhabitants of Tierra Firme. He was firm, but believed in diplomacy and treating the Indians with respect. In Castilla del Oro, he knew that he must first conquer the natives, but then treat them with respect, and make friends with them. He knew that the Spaniards depended on the natives, to survive in the country. Only with friendship, was he able to do this. His men, all respected him and considered him to be fair. Francisco Pizarro had already proved in Panama, under Pedrarias, that he was without mercy with the natives, and this was reaffirmed with the Inca's of Peru. As with the natives in Castilla del Oro, he indiscriminately persecuted them, and slaughtered thousands, in his pursuit of gold and riches. Most historians believe that had Vasco Nuñez had been the discoverer of the Inca Civilization, there would not have been the mass destruction of that civilization, and things would have been much better for the natives.
6. Was there a lasting influence on the people of the area Balboa explored?
Panama chose to honor Balboa in 1975, by naming their money after him. Most historians believe that had Vasco Nuñez had been the discoverer of the Inca Civilization, there would not have been the mass destruction of that civilization, and things would have been much better for the natives.
***http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/vasco-nunez-de-balboa.htm
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