Who was the explorer sent to conquer Florida?

The explorer sent to conquer Florida was Hernando de Soto. In the early 1530s, de Soto embarked on a significant expedition, seeking wealth and opportunity in the New World. He is best known for his extensive explorations throughout the southeastern United States, including the regions that would later become Florida. De Soto arrived in Florida in 1539 and initiated a series of explorations that took him through various territories, interacting with numerous Native American tribes and mapping much of the southeastern part of what is now the United States.

His quest for gold and fame ultimately led him on a path of both discovery and conflict, marking him as a notable figure in the history of early Spanish exploration in North America. De Soto's expedition was particularly influential because it contributed to the European understanding of the geography and peoples of the southeastern part of the continent.