1. SS6H1b EQ: What was the impact of European exploration on Latin American civilizations?

2. The Fall of the Maya Civilization Over a series of encounters beginning in 1511, the Spanish conquered most of the Mayan empire. Over a series of encounters beginning in 1511, the Spanish conquered most of the Mayan empire. Those that were not killed by defeat were killed by the diseases brought over by the Spanish that the Native Americans had no immunities to. Those that were not killed by defeat were killed by the diseases brought over by the Spanish that the Native Americans had no immunities to. The Maya that remained were forced to work in gold and silver mines, or on Spanish plantations as part of the encomienda system. The Maya that remained were forced to work in gold and silver mines, or on Spanish plantations as part of the encomienda system.

3. Fall of the Aztec Empire The Aztec ruler, Montezuma II welcomed Hernan Cortes into Tenochtitlan because he thought Hernan Cortes was a god. The Aztec ruler, Montezuma II welcomed Hernan Cortes into Tenochtitlan because he thought Hernan Cortes was a god. Cortes only had 500 men. Cortes only had 500 men. Cortes took Montezuma hostage and demanded gold and treasure in exchange for his safe return. Cortes took Montezuma hostage and demanded gold and treasure in exchange for his safe return. Montezuma was forced to swear allegiance to the Spanish crown. Montezuma was forced to swear allegiance to the Spanish crown. Cortes and his men began looting the city (which was rich in gold) and sent the gold back to Spain. Cortes and his men began looting the city (which was rich in gold) and sent the gold back to Spain. Over six months, Cortes and his men stripped the city of its riches. Over six months, Cortes and his men stripped the city of its riches.

4. Fall of the Aztec Empire While Cortes was out of the city, one of his soldiers interrupted a religious ceremony and massacred 200 Aztec nobles. While Cortes was out of the city, one of his soldiers interrupted a religious ceremony and massacred 200 Aztec nobles. Upon his return, Cortes found the Aztec rebelling. Upon his return, Cortes found the Aztec rebelling. The Spanish were chased out and 75% of them drowned in the wetlands because they tried to carry out so much gold. The Spanish were chased out and 75% of them drowned in the wetlands because they tried to carry out so much gold. Montezuma II was killed by his own people for allowing Cortes into the city. Montezuma II was killed by his own people for allowing Cortes into the city. In 1521, Cortes returned and defeated the Aztec after a 3 month battle with a new Aztec ruler named Cuauhtemoc. In 1521, Cortes returned and defeated the Aztec after a 3 month battle with a new Aztec ruler named Cuauhtemoc. Smallpox killed about a third of the Aztec population, and the Spanish conquered the rest. Smallpox killed about a third of the Aztec population, and the Spanish conquered the rest. Mexico City was built on top of the ruins of Tenochtitlan. Mexico City was built on top of the ruins of Tenochtitlan.

5. Fall of the Inca Empire In 1532, Francisco Pizarro landed in Peru with 180 Spanish conquistadors. In 1532, Francisco Pizarro landed in Peru with 180 Spanish conquistadors. Pizarro invited the Inca ruler, Atahualpa, to a feast. Pizarro invited the Inca ruler, Atahualpa, to a feast. When Atahualpa arrived, Pizarro ambushed and captured him. Atahualpa offered him a room of gold for his freedom. When Atahualpa arrived, Pizarro ambushed and captured him. Atahualpa offered him a room of gold for his freedom. Pizarro took the gold and killed Atahualpa anyway. Pizarro took the gold and killed Atahualpa anyway.

6. Fall of the Inca Empire Over years, the Spanish conquered Inca territory, defeating the Incas in Lima and Cuzco. Over years, the Spanish conquered Inca territory, defeating the Incas in Lima and Cuzco. In 1572, the Spanish captured the last Inca ruler, Tupac Amaru, defeating the Inca. In 1572, the Spanish captured the last Inca ruler, Tupac Amaru, defeating the Inca. The Inca population was also weakened by European diseases such as smallpox and influenza (the flu). The Inca population was also weakened by European diseases such as smallpox and influenza (the flu). The Spanish took over the Inca lands, built plantations anf forced the Incato work on as slaves. This system was called the encomienda system. The Spanish took over the Inca lands, built plantations anf forced the Incato work on as slaves. This system was called the encomienda system.

7. The Columbian Exchange This is a term for the exchange of goods and ideas between Europe and the Americas during the 1500s. The Columbian Exchange also refers to the cultural exchange between the Spanish and the Latin American Natives. The Columbian Exchange also refers to the cultural exchange between the Spanish and the Latin American Natives. Natives dressed European and learned to speak Spanish. Natives dressed European and learned to speak Spanish. Natives were forced to become Christians and abandon their native religions. Natives were forced to become Christians and abandon their native religions.

8. The Columbian Exchange Europe gained: Tomatoes Corn Potatoes Chocolate New Land Wealth (Gold) The Americas gained: Christianity Horses Small Pox Influenza