Final answer:
Spanish conquistadors, driven by the success of Cortés and Pizarro, first ventured into North America searching for gold and silver. The expeditions led by individuals such as Hernando de Soto failed to find the riches they sought, instead encountering new lands and inadvertently spreading European diseases among native populations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Spanish expeditions first traveled into the interior of North America in search of gold and silver. Encouraged by the vast treasures discovered in the civilizations of Central and South America, Spanish conquistadors like Hernando de Soto embarked on extensive journeys. From 1539 to 1542, de Soto and his expedition explored regions that now include Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas, hoping to replicate the success of earlier conquests such as those by Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro.
However, instead of finding the anticipated mountains of gold and silver, the Spanish brought with them European diseases that decimated native populations and faced the harsh realities of untamed landscapes. The focus on precious metals stemmed from earlier discoveries by figures like Columbus, whose reports heavily featured the potential wealth to be gained in the New World, provoking a wave of expedition and conquest with the goal of acquiring riches.
Ultimately, these expeditions were met with disappointment as the envisioned wealth did not materialize. Despite the lack of precious metals, the Spanish did encounter fertile lands, as well as valuable timber and fur resources that prompted future economic opportunities. Nevertheless, the lasting impact of their exploration included the establishment of initial European settlements in the New World and the tragic decimation of indigenous societies through warfare and disease.