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Chapter 2: Europe Looks Outward 2.2 Spain’s Empire in the Americas – Section Question How did Spain establish an empire in the Americas? Spanish Conquistadors: Soldier-adventurers called conquistadors set out to explore and conquer the Americas. They hoped for riches and glory for themselves and Spain. Hernán Cortés 1. 1519: Sailed from Cuba to Mexico with more than 500 soldiers 2. November 8: Marched into the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán. 3. Native Americans joined him because they wanted to throw off the brutal rule of the Aztecs. 4. The Aztec leader, Moctezuma, offered Cortés gold to leave. 5. Instead, Cortés took Moctezuma hostage and claimed all of Mexico for Spain 6. After the Aztecs rebelled and forced the Spaniards to Francisco Pizarro 1. Copied methods of Cortés 2. 1531: Landed on the coast of Peru to search for the Incas, who were said to have much gold. 3. September 1532: Led about 170 soldiers into the heart of the empire 4. Took the Inca ruler, Atahualpa prisoner 5. The Inca people paid a huge ransom to free their ruler. 6. Pizarro instead executed him. 7. November 1533: the Spanish had defeated the Incas and captured capital city of Cuzco flee, Cortés returned with a larger force, captured Tenochtitlan and destroyed it Why Conquistadors Defeated Native Americans: 1. The Indians’ weapons were no match for the Spaniards armor, muskets, and cannons. 2. Many of the Spaniards were on horseback, which the Native Americans had never before seen. 3. The Native Americans were divided among themselves. The Spanish Social System Peninsulares: Spanish colonists born in Spain 1. 2. Top of the social structure Most were government officials Creoles: born in America of two Spanish parents Many were wealthy merchants and plantation owners Mestizos: people of Spanish and Indian blood Could achieve economic success as: 1. ranchers 2. farmers 3. merchants But could not enter the upper levels of society