Final answer:
Francisco Vásquez de Coronado explored the Southwest and Great Plains of North America in search of the Seven Cities of Gold between 1540 and 1542, but his expedition resulted in financial failure.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Francisco Vásquez de Coronado ventured into the Southwest and Great Plains of North America, he was searching for b. The Seven Cities of Gold. Coronado was a Spanish explorer who governed the province of Nueva Galicia and was inspired by rumors of immense wealth in the north, specifically a golden city called Quivira.
Between 1540 and 1542, Coronado led an extensive expedition through what is now the southwestern United States, searching not for the Fountain of Youth, a direct sea route to Asia, or the source of the Mississippi River, but for the alleged cities rich in gold. His journey, marked by war against the Tiwa and interactions with various native peoples, ultimately led to financial ruin for Coronado instead of the discovery of the legendary riches he had hoped to find.