1. The conquistadors

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 Aztec used to live in central Mexico. They lived in the valley of Mexico. There Capital was Tenochtitlan it was built in the middle of a lake, today is Mexico City. Image from crystalinks.com the Aztec thought Cortez was Quetzacoatl a god (light skinned/ bearded) ORANGE= AZTEC

4. Maya The Maya used to live on the Mexico coast, Yucatan Peninsula. They where polytheist (believed in more then one god). More than one major city. Image from crystalinks.com GREEN=MAYA

5. Inca The Incas lived in South America, specifically in the Andes MTS, and Peru. Capital was Cuzco population 20 million of the hole civilization. They were polytheistic (believe in many Gods). They were easily concord by Pizarro and the Spanish, because two gropes in the Inca civilization were fighting, that a civil war. The Spanish concord the Incas and the Spanish are called conquistadors. Image from inca.phillipmartin.info Yellow = Inca

6. Cortez Cortez conquered the Aztecs by posing as friends and Cortez trying to by a god taking ruler Montezuma. fanpop.com He traveled with 500 men and 16 horses and conquered the Aztecs in 1519.

7. Pizzaro Pizzaro took over Inca empire by sneaking in while they were in a civil war. althistory.wikia.com Took over a big empire with only 180 men and 27 horses.

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?) They changed central and south America by forcing there religion to the aztecs,mayas,incas. Who liked there own religion.