The Conquistadors
First Encounters Columbus landed in the Caribbean in 1492 Conquistadors= conquerers Settled on Hispanola Cuba Puerto Rico Spread many diseases: small pox, measles, influenza. Killed natives quickly
Small pox
Cortez Went to Mexico; conquered the Aztecs Headed toward Mexico City with 600 men, 16 horses and a few cannons Led by a young woman Malinche- she translated Malinche told Cortez that conquered people hated Aztec overlords Cortez alligned with these groups
Cortez Moctezuma was the Aztec chief At first thought Cortez was an Aztec god Welcomed him into the city Aztec/Spanish relations strained Aztecs drove the Spaniards out Cortez left a few of his men behind while he went to get reinforcements In the mean time, Moctezuma was stoned to death by his own people
Cortez Cortez retreated and went to Cuba for reinforcements 1521 he returned and defeated the Aztecs Spaniards had taken Tenochtitlan Later on built Mexico City on the site where the Aztec capital had been
Tenochtitlan Mexico City
Pizarro Inca Empire lasted for 70 years Conquered by Pizarro Comes right after civil war in 1532 Athualpa was the king Pizarro captures Athualpa and holds him for ransom Incas pay ransom Pizarro kills him anyway Incas no match for Pizarro; overruns empire
Myth of El Dorado El Dorado: means guilded one Rumors that there was a Nat Am chief who covered himself in gold dust Roots traced back to Andean Region of S. Am Begins story that there is a lost city of gold Sends explorers looking for this city
Motivation for Exploration God Columbus noted that the natives were easliy converted to Christianity Looking for Christian followers Gold Native civilizations prized gold Europeans noticed this and came searching for it Glory: Explorers were considered heroes
Reasons for ease in conquering Superior military technology Divison and discontent among Native Americans Disease Indian beliefs http://www.cleanvideosearch.com/media/action/yt/watch?videoId=Dt5g-1DtVL0