1. Conquistadors

2. Spanish Conquistadors invaded three major groups of Indigenous people
Aztec, Mayan, Inca
Original territory ranged from Mexico to The bottom of South America
Native People

3. Aztec The Aztec Occupied much of Southern Mexico
First meet Europeans in 1519
Hernando Cortes marched inland looking for gold
Because the Spanish were first to arrive they established colonies and increased their wealthy by conquering the native People
Aztec

4. Cortes After conquering islands in the Caribbean marched inland
Took about 600 men with him, and reached Aztec Capital (Tenochtitlan) After several weeks of marching
At first welcomed as a god
Cortes

5. Montezuma II Aztec Emperor Believed Cortes was a god
Agreed to share Aztec gold with the Spanish
Spanish forced Aztecs to mine more gold and silver
In 1520 Aztecs revolted against the Spanish and drove them out of the city
Spanish fought back and conquered the Aztec in 1521
Numerous native groups helped the Spanish, Aztec were very cruel and often practiced human sacrifice
Montezuma II

6. Spanish Influence Horses are introduced to the Americas
Spanish brought firearms, canons, and superior armor
Most importantly they brought European diseases with them, which eventually destroyed most of the indigenous population
Spanish Influence

7. Indigenous Populations

8. Inca

9. Francisco Pizarro 1532 Invades Peru and the Incas
Took only about 200 troops to conquer 30,000 natives
Atahualpa the Inca ruler was later killed when he could not produce enough gold to satisfy the Spanish
Francisco Pizarro