1. Age of Discovery: Conquest of America

2. 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

5. 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

6. 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

8. Pizarro (1532) went to Peru to conquer Incas
Used same method as Cortes
Captured Atahualpa & demanded ransom, then killed him

9. III. Reasons for Victory
Superior technology (horses, armor, muskets, canon)
Lack of unity
Diseases affected natives
Loss of hope

10. AZTEC
MAYA
INCA