Which historical figure is associated with the colonization efforts of eastern Oklahoma?

The correct association of the historical figure with the colonization efforts of eastern Oklahoma is tied to Onate. Juan de Oñate, a Spanish explorer and conquistador, is known for his expedition into the areas that now comprise the Southwestern United States, including parts of present-day Oklahoma. His activities during the late 16th and early 17th centuries were part of Spain’s broader agenda to explore and establish control over territories in what is now the United States.

Oñate’s exploration aimed at finding new resources and establishing missions for the Spanish Crown, which laid the groundwork for later colonization efforts in the region. His interactions with Native American tribes and attempts to colonize these lands reflect the broader European imperial interests in North America at that time.

The other figures listed—Henry Hudson, John Smith, and La Salle—focused their activities in different regions. Hudson is primarily known for his explorations of areas that would become New York; Smith is famous for his leadership in the Jamestown settlement in Virginia; and La Salle is recognized for claiming the Mississippi River basin for France—not for efforts in Oklahoma. Thus, the context of Oñate’s undertakings aligns more clearly with the colonization themes relevant to eastern Oklahoma than those of the other