The Spanish Conquistadors

1. Hernan Cortez Spanish conquistador- In 1519, the Governor of Hispaniola hired Cortez to lead an expedition Spanish conquistador- In 1519, the Governor of Hispaniola hired Cortez to lead an expedition into Mexico. He took 600 men, He took 600 men, 16 horses, and 14 cannons with him into Mexico.

2. Cortez in Mexico Once he landed in Mexico he made alliances with some of the native tribes there. He was able to convince many of them to join his expedition. Once he landed in Mexico he made alliances with some of the native tribes there. He was able to convince many of them to join his expedition. He began to hear more rumors that there were Indians, the Aztecs, who lived He began to hear more rumors that there were Indians, the Aztecs, who lived further inland that had a lot of gold.

3. Cortez meets the Aztecs Cortez used an interpreter who had once been an Aztec slave and spoke their language.

4. Cortez and the Aztecs The Aztecs had also heard rumors – how these men were light skinned and had strange animals and weapons. The Aztecs had also heard rumors – how these men were light skinned and had strange animals and weapons. Montezuma II thought that Cortez was the god, Quetzalcoatl, who was fair skinned and had promised to return one day. So he gave him gold and allowed him Montezuma II thought that Cortez was the god, Quetzalcoatl, who was fair skinned and had promised to return one day. So he gave him gold and allowed him to enter the great city of Tenochtitlan.

While they were there, the Spanish tried to convert the Aztecs to Christianity. While they were there, the Spanish tried to convert the Aztecs to Christianity. Spanish solidified their position by marrying native women, creating a large Mestizo (mixed race) population. Spanish solidified their position by marrying native women, creating a large Mestizo (mixed race) population. To exploit the land, the Spanish forced native workers to labor in encomienda (natives acted as slave labor on farms ranches, mines) To exploit the land, the Spanish forced native workers to labor in encomienda (natives acted as slave labor on farms ranches, mines) Even though they were greatly outnumbered, Cortez had horses and better weapons and armor. He captured Montezuma II and tried to rule through him. They seized the Aztec gold and destroyed their temples. Even though they were greatly outnumbered, Cortez had horses and better weapons and armor. He captured Montezuma II and tried to rule through him. They seized the Aztec gold and destroyed their temples.

5. “Invisible Warrior” Another reason the Spanish were so successful in defeating the Aztecs: the invisible warrior. The Spanish brought with them diseases that the Aztecs did not have immunity for: smallpox and influenza were two of the deadliest. Another reason the Spanish were so successful in defeating the Aztecs: the invisible warrior. The Spanish brought with them diseases that the Aztecs did not have immunity for: smallpox and influenza were two of the deadliest.

6. End of the Aztec Empire Montezuma was killed in Most believe he was killed by his own people when he Montezuma was killed in Most believe he was killed by his own people when he tried to stop a rebellion. In 1521, the Spanish blocked traffic to and from the city and then burned Tenochtitlan to the ground and later built a new city, Mexico City, on the same site. In 1521, the Spanish blocked traffic to and from the city and then burned Tenochtitlan to the ground and later built a new city, Mexico City, on the same site. Cortez became very wealthy and famous. In 1540 he returned to Spain. Cortez became very wealthy and famous. In 1540 he returned to Spain.

7. Francisco Pizarro Spanish Conquistador – arrived in Peru Spanish Conquistador – arrived in Peru to seek his fame and fortune. In 1532, he led only In 1532, he led only 150 men to the edge of the Incan Empire.

8. Pizarro and Atahualpa The Incan Emperor was Atahualpa. He had just gained control of the empire from his brother and was traveling to Cuzco. The Incan Emperor was Atahualpa. He had just gained control of the empire from his brother and was traveling to Cuzco. Pizarro sent an invitation for Atahualpa to attend a feast in his honor. Once there, a Spanish priest to tried to convert Atahualpa to Christianity. Pizarro sent an invitation for Atahualpa to attend a feast in his honor. Once there, a Spanish priest to tried to convert Atahualpa to Christianity. The priest was offended by the emperor’s response and told the soldiers to attack.

9. Atahualpa kidnapped Pizarro attacked the thousands of unarmed Incans and took Atahualpa Pizarro attacked the thousands of unarmed Incans and took Atahualpaprisoner.

10. Ransom Atahualpa promised to fill a room full of gold and another with silver for his release. Atahualpa promised to fill a room full of gold and another with silver for his release. The Spanish received 24 tons of silver and gold, but they never let Atahualpa go – he was murdered by the Spanish. The Spanish received 24 tons of silver and gold, but they never let Atahualpa go – he was murdered by the Spanish.

11. End of the Incan Empire After Atahualpa’s death, the After Atahualpa’s death, the Spanish continued to conquer the Incan Empire. The use of better weapons, armor, horses, and disease again allowed the Spanish to have an easy victory. The use of better weapons, armor, horses, and disease again allowed the Spanish to have an easy victory.

12. The end of the story In 1536 the last battle with the Incan warriors was fought. In 1536 the last battle with the Incan warriors was fought. Pizarro founded the city of Lima as the capital of Peru and claimed it all for Spain. Pizarro founded the city of Lima as the capital of Peru and claimed it all for Spain. In 1541, Atahualpa’s cousin killed In 1541, Atahualpa’s cousin killedPizarro.

13. Juan Ponce de Leon Conquered Puerto Rico Easter Sunday 1513 he discovered Florida naming it La Florida after the “feast of flowers” 1562 Spain abandoned Florida and French settlers arrived. Spain returned with Pedro Menendez de Aviles and drove out the French, founding St. Augustine in (oldest European-settled city in present- day USA)