The Spanish Conquer Two
Empires in the Americas
In this lesson, students will be able to define
the following terms:
Hernando Cortes
Montezuma
Reasons for the Defeat of the Aztecs
Francisco Pizarro
Reasons for the Defeat of the Incas
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The Spaniards
conquered
the Americas
for
“God, Glory,
and Gold”.
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“God, Glory, and Gold”
• The Spaniards conquered the Americas
for “God, Glory, and Gold”.
• The Spaniards wanted to convert the
Native American Indians to Christianity.
• The Spaniards wanted gold and fame.
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In 1519, Hernando Cortes arrived
in Mexico.
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Hernando Cortes
• In 1519, Hernando Cortes sailed with
eleven ships to the coast of Mexico.
• The Aztec emperor, Montezuma, initially
believed that Cortes was a returning Aztec
god and sent the Spaniards gifts.
• Montezuma let the Spaniards enter the
Aztec capital.
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Montezuma, the Aztec emperor,
initially believed that Cortes was
an Aztec god. He let Cortes enter
the Aztec capital.
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The Defeat of the Aztecs
• The Spaniards attacked the Aztecs.
• Within three months, the Spaniards
defeated the Aztecs.
• The Spaniards had better weapons. They
had cannons and guns. They also had
horses and brought smallpox disease to
the Aztecs.
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In 1532, Francisco Pizarro attacked
the Incas.
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Francisco Pizarro
• In 1532, Francisco Pizarro attacked the
Incas.
• The Incas were fighting a civil war.
• Pizarro captured the Incan emperor.
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The Incan emperor offered to fill
a large room with gold if Pizarro
would release him.
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Atahualpa
• The Incan emperor, Atahualpa, offered to
fill a large room with gold if Pizarro would
release him.
• Atahualpa even agreed to be baptized in
the Christian faith.
• Pizarro agreed to release him but once the
emperor had filled the room with gold,
Pizarro ordered the emperor killed.
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The Spaniards used horses in their
conquest of the Incas. The Incas
were terrified of horses.
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Reasons for the Conquest
• There were many reasons why small
groups of Spaniards were able to conquer
two large empires in the Americas.
• The Spaniards had better weapons,
cannons, and horses.
• The Spaniards also introduced smallpox
disease to the Americas. This disease led
to the deaths of many native people.
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Questions for Reflection:
• Who was Hernando Cortes and what did
he do?
• Who was Montezuma and why did he
allow Cortes to enter his capital?
• Who was Francisco Pizarro and what did
he do?
• What was happening in Incan society prior
to Pizarro’s arrival?
• Why were the Spaniards able to defeat the
Aztecs and Incas?
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