Juan de Oñate, a Spanish explorer and conquistador, took a crucial step in the Spanish colonization of North America by embarking on a large-scale expedition to the region known as Santa Fe de Nuevo México. Motivated by both the prospects of wealth and the evangelization of Indigenous peoples, Oñate gathered a diverse group of settlers, soldiers, and missionaries, departing from Mexico in search of new opportunities. The journey proved challenging as the expedition crossed difficult landscapes, including deserts and mountains, before arriving at the Rio Grande. This marked the beginning of Oñate's efforts not only to claim territory for Spain but also to establish missions to convert local tribes to Christianity.

Upon reaching the Rio Grande, Oñate and his party interacted with various Indigenous groups, which resulted in the establishment of the first permanent European settlement in the region, often referred to as the capital of Spanish New Mexico. The settlement would facilitate Spanish control and influence over the area, leading to significant cultural exchanges and conflicts. Oñate’s establishment of Santa Fe was a crucial moment in the broader narrative of European colonization, which involved the intersection of cultures, often resulting in drastic changes for the Indigenous peoples.

The outcomes of Oñate's initial endeavors set the foundation for the Spanish presence in the Southwest, fostering economic changes through trade and introducing new agricultural practices. Oñate’s actions and settlement strategies would lead to lasting impacts on the demographics and cultural landscapes of what is now New Mexico, paving the way for subsequent Spanish exploration, settlement, and conflict with Indigenous nations in the years to come.