Spanish Explorers

1
Spanish Explorers

• September, 18th, 2008

2
Hernan Cortes

• Conquered the Aztec empire
• Aztec people thought he was god
• Captured Aztec ruler (Moctezuma)
• Defeated the rest with superior weapons
• 508 Spanish versus thousands of Aztecs

3
Francisco Pizarro

• Conquered the Inca empire
• Captured the Inca capital
• Killed the Inca leaders

4
Why did this happen?

• More wealth for Spain
• More Land for Spain
• Spread Christianity

5
Why Spanish Victory so easy?

• The Spanish had several advantages
• Steel armor and weapons
• Horses
• European Disease
• Spanish alliances with Aztec/Inca enemies

• What did these advantages cause?
• Reduced Native American Population
• Spanish rule of the Americas
• Columbian Exchange

6
More Spanish Explorers

• Juan Ponce de Leon
• Conquered Puerto Rico, Colonized Florida, Looked
  for Fountain of Youth
• Hernando de Soto
• Explored Southeastern US, discovered Mississippi
  River

7
More Spanish Explorers

• Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca
• Shipwrecked, captured by Native Americans,
  escaped, called for better treatment of Native
  Americans
• Francisco Coronado
• Explored the American Southwest, searched for
  legendary Seven Cities of Gold