el conquistador
TRANSCRIPT
The conquistadors were Spanish and Portuguese explorers and soldiers who came to the New World to conquer Native American Empires.
Ponce de LeonPonce de Leon
Sailed with Columbus on his 2nd voyage to the New World.
Named Florida, which is Spanish for …. Flowered Land
First Spanish explorer to set foot upon what would become the U.S.
Searched the peninsula of Florida for the mythical “Fountain of Youth.”
Explored Panama
Established the first permanent European settlement on the mainland. Santa María, Panama
Obtained much gold from conquered Native American tribes.
Vasco Nunez de BalboaVasco Nunez de Balboa
In 1513, Balboa’s expedition crossed the isthmus of Panama.
These are the first Europeans to see the Pacific Ocean from the Americas.
Explored for gold and a route to China in what would become the southeastern U.S.Claimed for Spain
Excellent horseman and tactician, who was known for his brutality.
Hernan de SotoHernan de Soto
The expedition of Hernan de Soto was the first to see the Mississippi River.
Explored what would become the southwestern U.S.Claimed for Spain
Looked for the mythical “7 cities of gold.”
Francisco Vasquez de CoronadoFrancisco Vasquez de Coronado
Explored and conquered the Aztec Empire.
Built Mexico City on the ruins of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan.
Perhaps the most successful conquistador.
Hernan CortesHernan Cortes
Spanish Arrive in MexicoSpanish Arrive in Mexico
Before Cortes arrival, the Aztecs had 7 omens predicting future trouble.
The Aztecs believed that Cortes was the human form of their god, Quetzalcoatl, returning to rule Aztec people.
QuetzalcoatlQuetzalcoatl
CortesCortes
Spanish Arrive in MexicoSpanish Arrive in Mexico
The Aztec leader, Montezuma, sent a messenger with gifts to welcome the Spanish at the coast.
Cortes tied up the messengers and fired a gun which made the messengers faint.
Cortes Marches Inland
Scaring the Aztecs and getting allies, Cortes leads a massacre at Cholula .
After hearing about this, Montezuma sends gifts of gold to Cortes to hopefully make him go away.
Cortes accepted the gifts and continued his march inland.
Cortes Marches to Cortes Marches to TehuantepecTehuantepec
Cortes and Montezuma met for the first time.
Cortes Takes ControlCortes Takes Control
They exchanged gifts and the Spanish took control of the city.
Montezuma was placed under guard and Cortes began to plunder Montezuma’s personal treasure.
Massacre at the Main TempleMassacre at the Main Temple
Cortes and his men begin to destroy Aztec property.
At a religious festival in the middle of the city, the Spanish attack the dancers.
Cortes and the Spaniards kill many innocent men and women at the temple.
Aztecs fight BackAztecs fight Back
When Cortes leaves Tenochtitlan, the Aztecs fight back.
The Aztecs kill the Spanish soldiers and their horses and display the heads on the temple walls.
Spanish Destroy Spanish Destroy TenochtitlanTenochtitlan
When Cortes returns, he surrounds Tenochtitlan.
He prevents food from entering the city.
Small pox further weakened the Aztecs and Cortes takes the city.
After the Conquest of After the Conquest of MexicoMexico
The Spanish create an empire based in Mexico.
Spain’s New World empire extended from South America into southern North America.
Spanish Legacy TodaySpanish Legacy Today
You can see Spain’s colonial legacy today in the U.S. and Latin America.
San Diego, San Francisco, San Antonio and Santa Fe are Spanish cities and most countries south of the U.S. speak Spanish.