1. “Spain Builds An Empire”
Section 3

2. The Spanish sent Conquistadors (soldiers) who led military expeditions to the Americas.

3. Hernan Cortes (conquistador) left Mexico in 1519
Hernan Cortes (conquistador) left Mexico in He set out to the west. (the Aztec Empire)
Why did the Conquistadors set out to conquer the Aztec Empire? (2 reasons)

4. They heard the Aztec Empire was a good source of gold and silver (Wealthy) and they also wanted to convert them to Christianity

5. The Aztecs had thousands of warriors and Cortes only hundreds.
Cortes hoped that his superior weapons would help bring him victory.
He also sought help from enemies of the Aztecs. An Indian woman named Malintzin helped bring him allies.

6. Eventually Moctezuma was captured and killed
Eventually Moctezuma was captured and killed. Disease bought by the Spanish like small pox, also helped the Aztec Empire fall.

7. What empire did the Conquistadors conquer next?
The Inca E.mpire (Francisco Pizarro led the attack on the Inca Empire) The Incas outnumbered Conquistadors but could not match their swords and guns. The armor the Spanish wore also was a big help. They even put armor on their horses!

8. In only a few years the Spanish had conquered two great American Empires.
The Spanish called their new empire “New Spain”
Jews , Muslims and Non Christians were forbidden to settle in new Spain
Trading posts were set up
Military bases were built
Christianity was spread
Roads were built

9. Provide 3 facts about Ponce de Leon
In 1508 he landed in Puerto Rico and eventually conquered it becoming governor of the colony
He discovered gold there
He discovered the present day coast of Florida
There he searched for “The Fountain Of youth”

10. Who was the other explorer who traveled through Florida and eventually traveled through Georgia, The Carolinas and discovered the Mississippi River?
Hernando De Soto

11. What happened to explorer Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca and his men?
They faced a shortage of food
Severe weather killed many of the men
De Vaca’s boat ship wrecked and only him and three others survived
They were captured and enslaved by native American groups in the area
After 6 years, the men finally escaped
De Vaca eventually returned to spain

12. Spanish fleets eventually headed back to Spain with tons of Gold and riches they had from the Aztec and Inca empires.
However, native people suffered greatly at the hands of the Spanish. Many were murdered and many of those who were not, were killed by disease. The Spanish who were settled in the Americas enslaved native Americans there and tried converting them to Christianity.