Chapter 3 Section 2 Early European Exploration in the Americas

The Conquistadors Conquistador—conqueror –Believed work was labor of God –Their duty to defeat all nonbelievers –Also hoped to gain wealth & glory –7 Cities of Gold legend 7 bishops fled Spain when Moors invaded Men traveled across ocean Est. 7 Cities of Cibola—achieved great wealth

Hernan Cortes As a young man, he studied law went to the island of Santo Domingo--only 19 years old at the time became mayor of Santiago de Cuba and stayed there until 1518

Hernan Cortes 1519—landed in present-day Mexico Heard about wealthy Aztec civilization led by Montezuma II Had 600 men and a few horses travel inland to Aztec capital city, Tenochtitlán Along the way made allies with tribes who were enemies of Aztecs 1519, Cortés & men reached the Aztec capital and met Montezuma

Hernan Cortes Aztecs may have thought that Cortés was a god-king--treated him & his soldiers well takes Montezuma hostage--forces him to swear allegiance to King Charles V of Spain Cortes forced out of Tenochtitlán When he returns—is attacked by Aztecs –Aztec attack prompted by slaughter of 600 Aztec nobles while Cortes was away

Hernan Cortes Cortes tries to calm the Aztecs by releasing Montezuma--Aztecs stone him to death 1520: Hernando Cortes & his soldiers forced out of Tenochtitlan 1521: Hernando Cortes returns to Tenochtitlan with reinforcements 1521: August 13 Plague strikes the Aztec population and Tenochtitlan falls to Cortes Hernando Cortes conquered 5 Million Aztecs with less than 1000 soldiers

Weapons Spanish –B–Better weapons –B–Better amour Steel swords Guns Cannons diseases Aztecs –Bows –Arrows –Clubs –Spears –Wicker shields –Padded cotton

After Cortes Franciso Pizarro –Defeated Inca empire –1532 –Founded Peru