How did a small group of Spanish explorers take over the huge empires of Latin America?
Spanish explorers came from Spain with the plan to
take over land. The Spanish explorers landed in the
Caribbean islands, then made their way to North and
South America. As they traveled, they claimed the land
for their home country, Spain. The Spanish explorers are
sometimes called Conquistadors, which means
“conquerors” in Spanish. Who did they “conquer”? Why
do you think some people don’t like that term?
The Spanish used force to take over land from very
powerful empires like the Aztecs in Mexico and the
Incas in South America. The Spanish explorers was a
very small group and much less powerful than the
indigenous empires. There were two main factors that
gave the Spanish an advantage over the powerful
Aztecs and Incas.
Directions: Read the research links below to
learn more about these two advantages.
After you read, make an Aztec-style codex
(see left) explaining how these advantages
helped the Spanish to defeat the mighty
Aztec Empire. An Aztec codex is an illustrated
book. The books told a story with pictures.
Spanish Advantages
1) Smallpox
Smallpox is a very deadly disease. The Spanish brought
it with them from Spain.

http://www.pbs.org/gunsgermssteel/variables/
smallpox.html This link explains why smallpox
was so devastating to the native people of
North and South America.

http://www.pbs.org/conquistadors/cortes/cort
es_h00.html# This link describes the impact of
small pox on the Aztecs. Click on “The Great
Rash” at the top of the page for a picture of an
Aztec codex about the small pox outbreak.

http://aztecs.mrdonn.org/quickhistory.html This link explains why smallpox was
perhaps the strongest advantage of the
Spanish.
2) Guns
The Aztecs had never seen a gun before and were not
familiar with this technology.

http://www.pbs.org/conquistadors/cortes/cortes_c
00.html# Focus on the pictures on the right side of
this website. You can also look at the whole Aztec
codex about guns by clicking on “Aztec Scroll”
above the picture. As you look at the pictures, think
about the Aztecs’ reactions to the guns.

http://mrgrayhistory.wikispaces.com/UNIT+9++AZTECS+%26+INCAS Scroll down to Section 3
(Conquest of the Aztec Empire) for another
explanation why guns and disease helped the
Spanish to defeat the Aztecs. The link also provides
additional advantages that the Spanish had over the
Aztecs.
Codex Requirements:
 Each group member creates their own codex in a style similar to Aztec codices (see above)
 Each codex must use colorful pictures to explain how SMALLPOX and GUNS allowed the Spanish to
take over the huge Aztec Empire
 For each advantage, write 2-3 sentences that explain how it helped the Spanish to defeat the Aztecs
Extra Credit Option: The Spanish had other advantages
like horses and the Aztecs’ conflicts with their
neighbors. You can use the websites provided to
research these other advantages for extra points
How to make your Aztec Codex:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Cut out the four pages in white paper.
Cut out the two covers in colored card.
Overlap and glue together the four pages into one long strip.
Allow the glue to dry.
Cut the “overlap and glue” tabs off each end.
Fold the strip of paper on each dotted line and on the center of each glued joint
to make a zigzag-shaped accordion.
7. Stick the covers onto the back and the front of the accordion.
8. Your Aztec Codex is finished! Now you can fill it.
The Aztec Codex painters were called Tlacuilos, and they only used red, yellow, green and blue colors.
The codices were made of tree bark and could be folded or rolled up.