1. Los Conquistadores

2. mercantilism Economic theory of the 16th- 18th centuries
Wealth is actual gold and silver
There is a finite amount of wealth
nations get richer by taking wealth from other nations
Markets are places to sell goods for wealth
Colonies provide markets for mother country’s goods, plus raw materials to make finished goods from

3. Spices
Tea
Ceramics

4. Columbus What? Quicker way to China How? Go West
Avoid Portuguese Africa, India
Avoid Italy, Muslims in Mediterranean
Why?
Time is money

5. God, Glory, Gold
Spreading God’s Word gains social status, plus salvation for yourself
Gold buys social status
Winning empire for Spain brings glory (fame)
This was the plan for the....

6. Conquistadors: God Glory Gold
Usually hard working professional soldiers
Not very diplomatic
Brave beyond modern concepts
felt they were continuing crusades against non-believers
Most famous leader was.....

7. Hernando Cortez Professional soldier Intelligent Crafty Driven
Wanted to make a name for himself
Conquered……

8. Mexico Emperor is Montezuma* Capital is Tenochtitlan……
* also spelled Moctecuzoma, Moctezuma
Capital is Tenochtitlan……
…..Amazingly advanced yet….
…did not use the wheel

9. Tenochtitlan
Culture
Could predict phases of sun, moon, eclipses years in advance - calendar running until 2012
Had Schools, observatories, zoos, shopping markets, apartments
Canals, bridges, straight roads!
Bigger than Madrid, London, Paris in 1519

11. No “Happy astronomers club”
The Aztec were a
Well organized-
Highly advanced-
Totalitarian-
Fascist-
Military dictatorship
That fed their gods with human blood
Up to 85,000 people murdered in one day

12. Feathered serpent Aztec legend said Quetzalcoatl would return
Legendary description looked like Cortez
Moctecuzoma welcomed Cortez as a god
gave him gold to go away
There’s more?

13. Spanish advantages Technology Armor steel weapons horses Guns
Politics: wanted to
Change heathen religion
Conquer: so….
no deals and….

14. Mexico had enemies Mexican Power struggle some tribes welcomed Spanish
Sent soldiers, guides, equipment

15. Cortez wins
300 Europeans beat 300,000 warriors and conquer about 2 million people
They simply replace the Aztec lords with themselves
The average Mexican sees little change
Except- no sacrifices. Hurray!

16. malhado Panfilo de Narvaez-rival of Cortez-tried to explore Florida
It was a horrible disaster
The survivors crash-landed onto Galveston island-
......during a Hurricane

17. salvation Treated at first as slaves, Beaten and starved by Indians
Only 4 Spaniards were alive after several years
Performed 1st aid on wounded Indian
He got well
They became Shamans-healers- and began to travel and live well

18. Cabeza de Vaca Treasurer for Panfilo de Narvaez expedition
First European to live in Texas
Walked back to Mexico
Wrote book on travels
First European to describe a buffalo

19. Eesteban Enslaved Moor First African in North America and Texas
Became 1 of the 4 Spanish survivors
Later, guide to Texas for Father Marcos expedition

20. What they accomplished
Explored most of Texas
Established claims for Spain
Wrote book that stirred European interest
Said Texas was only rich in land
Few believed them
Made it into the history books