The Spanish attempted to establish a presence in North America for many years before they were successful. The first successful settlement was the fortress of St. Augustine in 1565. There was not a great impact; however, it did serve as a base for later explorations. Missionaries spread north as far as Chesapeake Bay. However, these religious missions ended due to disease and Indian attacks. Later, Juan de Oñate made more progress in the upper Rio Grande Valley. It was here that he claimed the royal colony of New Mexico. After the Acoma Indians refused his demands for provisions, Oñate, fired by a passion for precious metals, ordered a massive retaliation resulting in the death of more than eight hundred Indians. The surviving men were forced
