Conquest in the Americas Americas Columbus and Tainos

Conquest in the Americas

Americas • Columbus and Tainos – Good relationship until Tainos did not respect Christian symbols – Columbus imprisoned Tainos and claimed land for Spain • Conquistadors- Spanish Conquerors who came to Americas

Americas • Advantages – Guns- superior weaponry – Horses- useful in battle, frightened natives – Disease-smallpox, measles, influenza • Carried by Spanish- immune • Killed millions

Aztecs • Cortes – Wanted to succeed where no one else had – Trekked to Tenochtitlan • capital of Aztec empire – Cortes arranged alliances with Aztec enemies • Agreed to help fight

Aztecs • Moctezuma was sent word of Cortes – Not sure if he was a God or not – Sent him lots of gifts of gold and religious icons – Urged him to go away • Gold enticed Cortes and he wanted more, continued on

Aztecs • Relations soured when Spanish tried to convert Aztecs to Christianity – Spanish captured Moctezuma – Aztec’s forced Spanish out • Moctezuma killed

Aztecs • Later Spanish regained forces and took over Tenochtitlan • Disease had killed many Aztec

Incas • Pizarro – Word of Cortes success had spread – Tried to conquer Inca empire • Ruled by Atahualpa – Refused to become Spanish Vassel

Incas • Pizarro captured him and slaughtered many Incas – Demanded ransom, once paid Pizarro killed Atahualpa anyway

Effects of Spanish Conquest • Spanish had taken over much of South America • Formed huge gold and silver mines – Shipped back to Spain • Spain became huge world power

Effects of Spanish Conquest • Indians were depleted – Disease and warfare had killed nearly 90% of population • Out of those that were left many gave in to Spanish and converted to Christianity, • Others resisted and kept fighting