hernando de Soto's march through Georgia resulted in the death of thousands of Native Americans. His soldiers killed the native people left and right as the Spanish invaded their land and demanded gold and food. Many of the native people died from the diseases the Spanish unknowingly brought with them.
De Soto set out from Spain in April 1538, set with 10 ships and 700 men. After stopping in Cuba, the expedition landed at Tampa Bay in May 1539. They moved inland and then set up camp for the winter at a small Indian village. He and his men took Indians captive to guide them. Spaniards killed hundreds of Native Americans. They used violent methods to commandeer their food stores and other resources that were needed to supply their army. However, the most significant impact on the native population from De Soto proved to be disease. The tribes did not have any immunity to European diseases as they had never had contact with Europeans before.
