The arrival of the Europeans in the Americas greatly altered life

European conquerors or conquistadors like Hernan Cortes arrived in the Americas for “God, Glory, and Gold.”

The Spaniards conquered the native population, seized their gold and silver, and converted them to Christianity.

The Spaniards also brought diseases like the deadly smallpox disease. The native population had never been exposed to smallpox and died in great numbers from the disease.

Small numbers of Spaniards - using horses and firearms and acting with local allies – quickly overcame large numbers of Native American Indians.

Hernan Cortes arrived in Mexico in 1519 sailed to Mexico with 11 ships, some 500 soldiers, and 16 horses in search of gold and silver.

Cortes met the Aztec emperor, Montezuma.

The Aztecs believed that the Spaniards were gods and showered them with gifts. One Aztec legend claimed that one of their gods would return one day from the East. Initially, the Aztecs believing Cortes was this god, welcomed Cortes.

The Spaniards eventually attacked the Aztec capital and killed Montezuma. Finally, the Aztecs surrendered. Spain had broken the power of the once mighty Aztec empire.

Francisco Pizarro arrived in modern-day Peru in 1532. Pizarro and his men marched toward the Inca capital and discovered that the Incas were in the midst of a civil war.

The Incan emperor, Atahualpa, met the Spaniards with no weapons. The Spaniards attacked the Incas and captured Atahualpa.

Atahualpa promised to fill a large room with gold if Pizarro would release him. He kept his promise but Pizarro killed him anyway.

With the Inca emperor dead, the Incas surrendered. But Pizarro and his men fought over the gold and Pizarro was eventually killed by his own men.

Conquistadors Reasons Cortes Pizarro