Francisco de Orellana vs Sieur de La Salle

Orellana was sent by Gonzalo Pizarro to scout ahead for food along the Napo River. When he failed to return, Pizarro accused him of desertion. Orellana continued downstream, eventually reaching the Amazon, while Pizarro's starving expedition returned to Quito.

Orellana led a group of 50 men down the Napo River and into the Amazon River, becoming the first Europeans to navigate the entire length of the Amazon. The journey covered over 4,000 miles from the Andes to the Atlantic Ocean, taking 8 months.

Orellana's expedition reported being attacked by a tribe of female warriors near the mouth of the Tapaj

Orellana returned to Spain and reported his discovery to King Charles I. He was granted a royal commission to conquer and colonize the Amazon region, with the title of Governor of New Andalusia. He was given permission to take 300 men and 30 horses.

Orellana died on the Amazon River during his second expedition to colonize the region. The exact cause of death is unknown, but it is believed to be from disease or attack by indigenous peoples. The expedition failed to establish a colony.

La Salle built Fort Crevecoeur on the Illinois River and explored the region, establishing French claims in the Illinois Country. This expedition laid groundwork for later French control of the interior.

La Salle led an expedition from the Great Lakes down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico. He claimed the entire Mississippi River basin for France, naming it Louisiana in honor of King Louis XIV.

La Salle established a settlement called Fort Saint Louis on the Texas coast after failing to find the Mississippi River mouth from the sea. The colony suffered from disease, starvation, and hostile relations with local Native American tribes.

La Salle was ambushed and killed by mutineers near the Brazos River in Texas. His death ended the French attempt to establish a colony in Texas and marked the collapse of the expedition.