1. Conquistador and Columbian civilizations By:Abbie Collins

2. Standards 5.2 Identify the three major pre-Columbian civilizations that existed in Central and South America (Maya, Aztec, and Inca) and their locations. Describe their political structures, religious practices, and use of slaves. 5.4 Explain why the Aztec and Inca civilizations declined in the 16th century. A. the encounters between Cortez and Montezuma B. the encounters between Pizarro and the Incas C. the goals of the Spanish conquistadors D. the effects of European diseases, particularly smallpox, throughout the Western hemisphere

3. Aztecs The Aztecs were surprised when the saw Cortez and his men because they never seen horses before. The Aztecs were polytheistic that believed in many gods and honor the gods name is Quetzacoatl who was a pale skinned man that the Aztecs thought he was Cortez. The Aztecs lived in central Mexico. Tenochtitlan, their capital city, was an unusual city because it was build in a middle of a lake. The Aztecs caught the smallpox. cla.calpoly.edu bakirita.blogs.com

4. Mayas The Mayas lived in Yucatan Peninsula Mexican coast. The Mayas were also polytheistic (believes in many gods). The region did not contain as much gold. The Mayas had slaves who sometimes gain their freedom. wku.edu marc.ucsb.edu

5. Incas The Incas lived in South America and lived in the Andes Mountains. The capital was Cuzco. Incas were polytheistic that believed in many gods. They practice animal sacrifice and on special occasion humans and children were sacrificed. The Incas were in a Civil War when Pizarro toke over the Incas in 1531(Civil War is fighting with two or more groups in the same country). The Incas were Conquistadors who conquers (takes by force). pbs.org gordon.wiki.ccsd.edu

6. Cortez Cortez took Montezuma hostage and was killed and Montezuma was the Aztecs leader Cortez traveled with about 500 men and 16 horses to overcome the Aztecs in 1519 The Aztecs leader Montezuma invited Cortez thinking he was Quetzalcoatl

7. Pizarro Traveled with 180 men and 27 horses to Peru the inc as civilization The Pizarro could take over the Incas easily Pizarro wanted a room would be filled with gold and silver and the Atahulalpa would be returned

8. How did the Spanish explorers and conquistadors change Central and South America forever? (Where do we see the lasting effect of these conquistadors even in 2011?) The Spanish explorers and conquistadors changed the Central and South America forever because now a lot of the Central and South America speaks Spanish. Most of the people are Christians and don’t believe in their native gods.