Age of Discovery: Conquest of America
I. 1st Encounters Sp. “Glory, God, & Gold” Columbus: W. Indies, Taino people were friendly, generous, could be easily conquered Conquerors followed, forced conversions, seized gold, disease 9/10 natives die
II. Conquistadors Sp. Explorers in America told stories of rich empires of gold Cortes landed in Mex. w/ 600 men, 16 horses, few canon Aided by Malinche (native), other tribes hated Aztecs
Moctezuma thought Cortes may be Quetzacoatl Let Cortes into capital of Tenochtitlan Spanish were greedy and relationship soured Cortes regrouped and assaulted the capital, defeating the Aztecs
Pizarro (1532) went to Peru to conquer Incas Used same method as Cortes Captured Atahualpa & demanded ransom, then killed him
III. Reasons for Victory Superior technology (horses, armor, muskets, canon) Lack of unity Diseases affected natives Loss of hope
AZTEC MAYA INCA