5.1 Europeans Reach the Americas

Asian Spices and Chinese Silks Europeans wanted Asian trade goods – fine silks for clothing and spices to preserve and improve their food. Overland trade routes were dangerous As a result, in the late 1400’s nations in Western Europe raced to find an all water route

Christopher Columbus An Italian sailor, Christopher Columbus believed that the could reach Asia by sailing across the Atlantic Ocean. Although he was Italian, he sailed for Spain.

The Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria Three ships were given to Columbus by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella from Spain On August 3, 1492, Columbus set sail and reached the Bahamas on October 12, 1492 He mistakenly landed on the continent known as North America

Spanish Conquest of the Americas Spain’s rulers waned to expand their Empire by taking control of the Americas Spain wanted to add to their wealth and spread Christianity Spain sent conquistadors to explore. Soldiers and adventurers in search of glory, gold and land.

Cortes Marches through Mexico In 1519, Hernan Cortes and his troops sailed from Spanish Cuba to the eastern coast of Mexico. He was told of the vast wealth of the Aztec empire and wanted to find and conquer them.

The meeting of Moctezuma II and Cortes The Aztec had large amounts of gold, precious gems and silver. Moctezuma gave Cortes peace offerings from his treasure, but it was not enough Cortes took Moctezuma captive and began planning on how to conquer the Aztec.

Cortes conquers the Aztec In May of 1521, the Spaniards and their Indian allies took Tenoctitlan. After a long and brutal fight, in August of 1521, they defeated the Aztec. Many of the Aztec were killed or enslaved and Tenoctitlan laid in ruins. Much of the great wealth was sent back to Spain and Cortes built Mexico City.