Conquest in the Americas

Americas Columbus and Tainos –Good relationship until Tainos did not respect Christian symbols –Columbus imprisoned Tainos and claimed land for Spain Conquistadors- Spanish Conquerors who came to Americas

Americas Advantages –Guns- superior weaponry –Horses- useful in battle, frightened natives –Disease-smallpox, measles, influenza Carried by Spanish- immune Killed millions

Aztecs Cortes –Wanted to succeed where no one else had –Trekked to Tenochtitlan capital of Aztec empire –Cortes arranged alliances with Aztec enemies Agreed to help fight

Aztecs Moctezuma was sent word of Cortes –Not sure if he was a God or not –Sent him lots of gifts of gold and religious icons –Urged him to go away Gold enticed Cortes and he wanted more, continued on

Aztecs Relations soured when Spanish tried to convert Aztecs to Christianity –Spanish captured Moctezuma –Aztec’s forced Spanish out Moctezuma killed

Aztecs Later Spanish regained forces and took over Tenochtitlan Disease had killed many Aztec

Incas Pizarro –Word of Cortes success had spread –Tried to conquer Inca empire Ruled by Atahualpa –Refused to become Spanish Vassel

Incas Pizarro captured him and slaughtered many Incas –Demanded ransom, once paid Pizarro killed Atahualpa anyway

Effects of Spanish Conquest Spanish had taken over much of South America Formed huge gold and silver mines –Shipped back to Spain Spain became huge world power

Effects of Spanish Conquest Indians were depleted –Disease and warfare had killed nearly 90% of population Out of those that were left many gave in to Spanish and converted to Christianity, Others resisted and kept fighting