1. Conquest in the Americas
By Hendrik Wilhelm

2. Christopher Columbus
In 1492, He reached the Caribbean islands (West Indies)
Columbus encountered the Taíno
Claimed their land for Spain, taking
prisoners black with him
He forced them to give him gold
or they killed them

3. Hernán Cortés He was another Spanish explorer
He fought against the Aztecs
Malinche (Indian woman) helped him to arrange alliances with the conquered people
Aztec ruler Moctezuma failed to keep Cortes from coming to Tenochtitlan
Cortes imprisoned Moctezuma and compelled him to sign over lands and treasure to the Spanish
1512, Spain destroyed Tenochtitlan and rebuilt it to “Mexico-City”

4. Francisco Pizarro He was interested in Peru's Inca empire
This empire was richer than the Aztecs
He arrived in Peru just after a civil war
Pizarro captured him and Atahualpa was killed by the Spanish
Pizarro won over the Incan heartland
He was killed by a rival Spanish group

5. Spain
The Spanish took vast fortunes in gold and silver, making Spain the greatest power of Europe
They opened an exchange of goods, people and ideas trough sea routes.

6. Quiz Who were the three main explorer?
Did they conquered their lands with force or with peace ?
What wanted Spain?