The Spanish conquest of the Americas - 8 HASS

discovery

&exploration

THE SPANISH CONQUEST OF THE AMERICAS

OUCH! WhydidI invade a country with so many cactusplants?

Whereintheworld?

During the 15th century, Spain sent explorers known as conquistadors (conquerors) to search for new lands and trade routes. They arrived in Central America.

Spain

TheAmericas

Aztecs

Mayans Incas

WholivedintheAmericas?

The three civilisations of Central and South America were the Mayans, the Aztecs and the Incas. By the time the Spanish arrived, only the Aztecs (in Mexico) and the Incas (in Peru) remained.

There were five major social classes: the emperor, nobles, warriors, commoners and slaves, and there was little chance of movement out of the class into which you were born.

WhatwerethekeygroupsinAztec society? Emperor

Nobles

Warriors

Commoners

Slaves

Whatwerethereligiousbeliefsofthe Aztecs?

The Aztecs believed in many gods. They also believed in the afterlife. To honour their gods, they performed many human sacrifices.

WhatwasdailylifeintheAztec civilisationlike?

The capital city of the Aztecs was Tenochtitlan. It was built on an island, surrounded by a lake. The Aztecs farmed on man-made islands called chinampas. They farmed (corn), tomatoes, potatoes, beans, chillies, peanuts, limes and avocadoes. The largest buildings were stone temples.

WhydidtheSpanishexplorethe Americas?

The Spanish explored the Americas to...

WhathappenedwhentheSpanish firstarrived?

The Spanish arrived in the Americas with over 500 conquistadors, horses, cannons, and even fighting dogs. They defeated many smaller groups of people before they met the Aztecs. Some of these people agreed to help the Spanish to defeat the Aztecs.

WhathappenedwhentheSpanish mettheAztecs?

The Spanish reached Tenochtitlan (the Aztec capital city) in November 1519. At first, the Aztecs thought that the Spanish leader Cortes had been sent by the god Quetzalcoatl. He soon realised that the Spaniards were actually after land and treasure. In July 1520, the Aztecs attacked their Spanish visitors, and the Spanish had to escape. They returned in 1521 and defeated the Aztecs. The city of Tenochtitlan was destroyed.

Many died of disease. Many became Christians. European animals were introduced to the Americas.

European inventions started to be used in the Americas.

Many other explorers travelled to the Americas.

The Spanish language became widely spoken in Central and South America.

Slaves were brought to the Americas.

Trade increased between Spain and the Americas.