Download Spanish Conquest

DATE: ____________
SPANISH CONQUEST
DO NOW: What advantages did the Native Americans/Spanish have over their opponent?
NATIVE PEOPLES
SPANISH
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CORTES VS. MOCTEZUMA II
In 1519, Hernan Cortes and 500
men arrived in Mesoamerica with
a desire for gold and religious
conversion. Upon his arrival,
Cortes had his men burn their
ships (called galleons). The
Spanish conquistadors marched
inland, slaughtering unfriendly
tribes, and forming pacts with the
Aztecs’ foes. They marched
towards Tenochtitlan with the help
of La Malinche, a young native
woman who served as Cortes’ translator and advisor.
When they arrived in Tenochtitlan, they were
welcomed in friendly fashion by the Aztec emperor,
Moctezuma. Cortes quickly took the emperor hostage.
This event led to an Aztec uprising that culminated in
La Noche Triste where hundreds of Spaniards were
killed. The Aztecs drove the Spaniards out of
Tenochtitlan in July of 1520. Men from both sides, as
well as many Aztec treasures, were
lost as a bridge collapsed during the
desperate flight of the Spaniards.
Nevertheless, Cortes survived, and led
the final attacks on Tenochtitlan.
Throughout the warfare, the Spaniards
were aided by the gruesome
advantage of disease, for the
Europeans brought ailments that the
Aztecs had no immunity to. It is
estimated that three-quarters of the
native population died of violence or diseases like
small pox and measles in just the first century of the
conquest. Finally, the Aztec capital fell on August 13,
1521. After capturing Tenochtitlan, the Spaniards
destroyed the city, and built Mexico City on top of it.
Just as Tenochtitlan was destroyed, most of the Aztec
civilization was destroyed during the European
Conquest. The surviving Aztecs became slaves and
servants of the Spanish.

Why did Cortes burn his ships upon his arrival in the New World?

Why do you think Moctezuma welcomed Cortes in such a friendly manner?

Would you have done the same if you were in his position? Explain.

How do you think Cortes is viewed in Mexico today?
DATE: ____________
CORTEZ THE KILLER BY NEIL YOUNG (7:31)

What aspects of Aztec civilization are present in this song?

Why would it appear to the Aztecs as if the conquistadors were “dancing across the water?”

What aspects of the song are inaccurate? How do you know?

Does the song mention religious sacrifice if so cite the lyric.

What part of the song has no connection to the Spanish or the Aztecs?

Which side of the Spanish – Aztec conflict does the artist appear to support? Give specific
evidence from the song in your answer.
FRANCISCO PIZARRO – WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Cortes’ success inspired other conquistadors to
explore and conquer South American lands. One
such conquistador, Francisco Pizarro, arrived in
Peru in 1532 and captured the Inca ruler,
Atahualpa, after slaughtering thousands of his
followers. Imagine you were Pizarro.
You have two choices:
 Force the Incas to pay a ransom for the
return of their ruler.
 Kill their ruler.
What is the next logical step for the Spanish once
they have conquered the Americas?
DATE: ____________
A COMMERCIAL REVOLUTION
The establishment of colonial empires in the Americas influenced the nations of Europe in many ways. New
wealth from the Americas was coupled with a dramatic growth in overseas trade. These together prompted
a wave of new business and trade practices in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. These practices –
many of which served as the root of today’s financial dealings – dramatically changed the economic
atmosphere of Europe. Together they became known as the Commercial Revolution.
The Rise of Capitalism. One aspect of the European Commercial Revolution was the growth of capitalism.
Capitalism is an economic system based on private ownership and the investment of wealth for profit. No longer
were governments the sole owners of great wealth. Due to overseas colonization and trade, numerous
merchants had obtained great wealth. These merchants continued to invest their money in trade and overseas
exploration. Profits from these investments enabled merchants and traders to reinvest even more money in other
enterprises. As a result, businesses across Europe grew and flourished.
Joint-Stock Companies. Another business venture developed during this period was the joint-stock
company. The joint-stock company worked much like the modern-day corporation. It involved a number of people
pooling their wealth for a common purpose.
In Europe during the 1500s and 1600s, that common purpose was American colonization. It took large amounts
of money to establish overseas colonies. Moreover, while profits may have been great, so were risks. Many
ships, for instance, never completed the long and dangerous ocean voyage. Because joint-stock companies
involved numerous investors, the individual members paid only a fraction of the total
colonization cost. If the colony failed, investors lost only their small share. If the colony
ACTIVITY: Mercantilism
thrived, the investors shared in the profits.
The Growth of Mercantilism. During this time, the nations of Europe adopted a
new economic policy known as mercantilism. The theory of mercantilism held that a
country’s power depended mainly on its wealth. It was wealth, after all, that allowed
nations to build strong navies and purchase vital goods. As a result, the goal of every
nation became the attainment of as much wealth as possible.
According to the theory of mercantilism, a nation could increase its wealth and power
in two ways. First, it could obtain as much gold and silver as possible. Second, it could
establish a favorable balance of trade, in which it sold more goods than it bought. A
nation’s ultimate goal under mercantilism was to become self-sufficient, not dependent
on other countries for goods.
Mercantilism went hand in hand with colonization, for colonies played a vital role in
this new economic practice. Aside form providing gold and silver, colonies provided
raw materials that could not be found in the home country, such as wood and furs. In
addition to playing the role of supplier, the colonies under mercantilism also provided a
market. The home country would sell its goods to their colonies.
can be a difficult
concept for students to
understand. Imagine you
have to teach the
concept of mercantilism
to a classmate who
learns best from visuals
and create a visual
representation of
mercantilism. Use the
least amount of words
possible in your
representation. Be
prepared to present your
work to the class.
Questions:
1) Why were colonies considered so important to the nations of Europe?
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2) Why might establishing overseas colonies have justified high profits for those who financed
the colonies?
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3)
Do you think the economic changes in Europe during the Age of Exploration qualify as a
revolution? Why or why not. Respond in a brief paragraph that includes a thesis statement
DATE: ____________
and at least one transition.
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Answer aim:
Notes:
I. ____________________ _____________________ of the Americas
a. Hernan ___________________ & __________________________
(Spanish soldiers who conquered the _____________________)
1. conquered _________________, destroyed ________________
2. _____________________ survivors.
b. Francisco ______________________ & conquistadors
1. conquered _______________, killed leader
2. enslaved _______________________
II. Ruling the __________________ _______________
a. Spain established _____________________ (lands
___________________ by another nation) in Americas
b. __________________________ – economic system
1. country’s power depends on ___________________
2. obtain as much _______________ and
_______________ as possible by acquiring
__________________.
3. desire for a _______________________
____________________ _________
____________________ – export more than import.
Notes:
I. SPANISH CONQUEST of the Americas
DATE: ____________
a. Hernan CORTES & CONQUISTADORS (Spanish soldiers who
conquered the AMERICAS)
1. conquered AZTECS, destroyed TENOCHTITLAN
2. ENSLAVED survivors.
b. Francisco PIZARRO & conquistadors
1. conquered INCAS, killed leader
2. enslaved SURVIVORS
II. Ruling the SPANISH EMPIRE
a. Spain established COLONIES (lands CONTROLLED by another
nation) in Americas
b. MERCANTILISM – economic system
1. country’s power depends on WEALTH
2. obtain as much GOLD and SILVER as possible by
acquiring COLONIES.
3. desire for a FAVORABLE BALANCE OF TRADE
– export more than import.