Conquistadors

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

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

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

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

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

Indigenous Populations

Inca

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