Conquest in the Americas World History
First Encounters in the Americas Columbus landed in the New World in 1492. He landed in the Caribbean on islands we now call the West Indies. The Native Americans that he met were part of the Taino tribe.
Relations Soon Sour At first, relations were peaceful. Relations soon get ugly between the two groups. The Europeans believed the Native Americans disrespected Christian symbols. In addition, the Tainos realized the Europeans were not just visiting. just visiting
Columbus Sets the Pattern Columbus clearly believes he is superior to the Native Americans. He claims land the land for Spain and takes several Tainos back as prisoners to the Spanish king. More Spanish Conquistadors, or conquerors,, would soon follow.
Guns, Horses, and Disease Very small numbers of Conquistadors are able to conquer millions of Native Americans, some with very complex cultures and strong militaries. There are three main reasons they are able to do this: weapons, horses,, and diseases. These will decimate Native American cultures and people.
Weapons Conquistadors had guns and cannons that were superior to Native American spears and arrows. Guns were not very accurate and loaded slowly, but they created very loud noises that caused chaos on the battlefield. They also wore metal armor,, which provided excellent protection.
Horses Conquistadors had horses that were useful for carrying supplies. More importantly, they frightened Native Americans in battle. Some Native Americans did not know that the man and horse were not part of the same beast.
A Native American Description of A Horse "The 'stags' came forward, carrying soldiers on their backs. The soldiers wore cotton armor. They bore their leather shields and their iron spears in their hands, but their swords hung down from the necks of the stags. The animals wear many little bells. When they run, the bells make a loud clamor, ringing and reverberating. These animals snort and bellow. They sweat a great deal and the sweat pours from their bodies in streams. Foam from their muzzles drips onto the ground in fat drops, like a lather of amole (soap) When they run, they make a loud noise, as if stones were raining on the earth. Then the earth is pitted and cracked open wherever their hooves have touched it."
Disease Europeans brought many killer diseases to the Americas with them. The Native Americans had no immunity at all to these diseases. They included smallpox,, measles, and the flu. Entire villages were destroyed by epidemics.. In the 1500 s, 90% of Native Americans in the Caribbean died of disease.
Cortes Conquers Mexico The Aztecs controlled a large empire in Southern Mexico. Cortes had 600 men, 16 horses, and a few cannons. The Aztecs were feared by the tribes around them and those that they controlled because of their practice of human sacrifice.
The Aztec Empire The Aztec capital city was Tenochtitlan,, it was located on the spot of present day Mexico City and was located in the middle of a lake. emperor The Aztec emperor at the time was named Moctezuma.
Moctezuma Hears of the Arrival of Moctezuma hears from messengers about Cortes and his men coming toward the city. He thinks they might be gods and begins to send them gifts. Cortes becomes very interested in the gold and silver of Tenochtitlan. Cortes
Cortes Arrives in Tenochtitlan Cortes is welcome into Tenochtitlan, but fighting between the two groups soon erupts. Cortes and his Indian allies conquer and destroy Tenochtitlan.
Pizarro Conquers Peru The Incas controlled a huge empire in South America. Their empire was connected by a huge system of roads. Their ruler, Atahualpa,, had just taken control of the empire after a long civil war with his brother.
Atahualpa is Captured Francisco Pizarro, aided by Indian allies, captures Atahualpa and demands a huge ransom. It is paid, but Atahualpa is killed anyway. Because of the effect of disease among the Native Americans, Spain is able to claim much of South and Central America.
The Effect of the Conquistadors The Spanish claimed huge amounts of territory and had huge amounts of gold and silver. They set up silver and gold mines throughout their new territories.
The Effects of the Conquistadors Millions of Native Americans died. Many more Europeans would come to the New World. Major empires were conquered. products Goods and products were exchanged between continents.