Conquest in the AmericasBy Hendrik Wilhelm
Christopher ColumbusIn 1492, He reached the Caribbean islands
(West Indies)Columbus encountered the TaínoClaimed their land for Spain, taking
prisoners black with himHe forced them to give him gold
or they killed them
Hernán CortésHe was another Spanish explorerHe fought against the AztecsMalinche (Indian woman) helped him to arrange
alliances with the conquered peopleAztec ruler Moctezuma failed to keep Cortes from
coming to TenochtitlanCortes imprisoned Moctezuma and compelled him
to sign over lands and treasure to the Spanish1512, Spain destroyed Tenochtitlan and rebuilt it
to “Mexico-City”
Francisco PizarroHe was interested in Peru's Inca empireThis empire was richer than the AztecsHe arrived in Peru just after a civil warPizarro captured him and Atahualpa was
killed by the SpanishPizarro won over the Incan heartlandHe was killed by a rival Spanish group
SpainThe Spanish took vast fortunes in gold and
silver, making Spain the greatest power of Europe
They opened an exchange of goods, people and ideas trough sea routes.
QuizWho were the three main explorer?
Did they conquered their lands with force or with peace ?
What wanted Spain?