1. Dr. Afxendiou Global History and Geography 9 Sachem North High School
EUROPEAN EXPLORATION
Dr. Afxendiou
Global History and Geography 9
Sachem North High School

2. CAUSES – THE 3 Gs ECONOMIC Gold SOCIAL Glory RELIGIOUS God
Wealth, it could be in gold, silver or in land
SOCIAL
Glory
Adventurers went to the Americas looking to make a fortune and make a name for themselves
RELIGIOUS
God
to spread Christianity to the natives.

3. THE CONQUISTADORS The first explorer – Christopher Columbus – 1492
Followed by Conquistadors – adventurers in search of fortunes and land and wishing to spread their religion
“PIP CAMe to conquer”
(yes, another of Dr. A’s mnemonics!!!)
Pizarro – Incas – Peru
Cortes – Aztecs - Mexico

4. Hernan Cortes Mexico 1519 His aims: Factors leading to his victory
gain more colonies for Spain
Find gold and silver
Factors leading to his victory
Moctezuma’s hesitation
support of various native groups who hated Aztecs
Malinche

5. Francisco Pizarro Peru 1532 Led 200 men Inca weak due to civil war
Inca emperor came to meet the Spaniards but was caught in an ambush – ransom paid but he was strangled anyway – demoralized Incas

6. REASONS FOR SPANISH VICTORY
Superior military technology
weapons – muskets, cannons
Horses – natives had never seen such an animal and it frightened them
Spanish armor and helmets protected soldiers from arrows and spears
Division among the native groups – Aztecs and Incas were hated by rival groups they had defeated. Spanish made the enemies their allies
Disease - measles, mumps, smallpox, typhus
Destruction of Tenochtitlan signaled the end of the world – the Aztecs believed they would die anyway