1. Europeans Reach the Americas
Chapter 5.1:
Europeans Reach the Americas

2. Essential Question:
Why was the 1492 voyage of Christopher Columbus important?

3. Columbus Sails to America
Europeans wanted goods from Asia
All-water route sought
Christopher Columbus

4. Columbus Sails to America
King Ferdinand & Isabella supported expedition
Hoped Columbus would find a westerly route to Asia
Columbus lands in the New World

5. Christopher Columbus landed in San Salvador (Hispaniola) on his first voyage.

7. Spanish Conquest in America
Spanish hope to take control of America (Glory)
Wealth & Power (Gold)
Spread Christianity (God)

8. Spanish Conquest in America
Conquistador— soldiers and adventurers in search of glory, gold, and land

9. Spanish Conquest in America
Guns, armor, helmets, muskets, rode horses
Superior military technology
Conquistador

10. Cortes Marches Through Mexico
Hernan Cortes— conqueror of the Aztec empire
Hernan Cortes

11. Cortes Marches Through Mexico
1519: Lands in present-day Mexico
Told of Aztec Empire—made conquering it his goal
Cortes

12. Cortes Marches Through Mexico
Pigs were first brought to America by Spanish explorers

13. Cortes Marches Through Mexico
Moctezuma II—ruler of the Aztec Empire
Moctezuma II

14. Cortes Conquers the Aztec
Aztecs had lots of gold, silver, & gems
May 1521: Cortes and allies attack
August 1521: Aztecs conquered

15. Cortes Conquers the Aztec
Cortes builds Mexico City upon the ruins of Tenochtitlan
Mexico is the future starting point of exploration of Americas

18. Spanish Conquest of the Americas