SPANISH CONQUEST WARM UP

Slowly but surely, the Spanish took over the New World. How do you think the Spanish were able to conquer so much territory?

THE SPANISH CONQUEST OF MEXICOHow did the Spanish conquer one of the most powerful empires in the New World?

EUROPE COMPETES TO CONTROL THE NEW WORLD

After Columbus’s voyages, Spain began sending soldiers called conquistadors (kahn-KEES-tah-dors), across the Atlantic. Their mission was to conquer a vast empire for Spain and to claim more territory than other European countries. The conquistadors hoped to get rich along the way.

THE AZTEC EMPIRE

One region the Spanish were determined to conquer was present day Mexico. The Aztecs were a tribe of hunter gatherers in Mexico that slowly grew to control much of Mexico.  After seeing what they believed was a religious sign, they built their capital city, Tenochtitlan, in 1325 AD.

AZTEC CIVILIZATION

The Aztec civilization was highly developed socially, politically, militarily, economically and artistically.   They controlled much of the region and conquered other Indians.

ENVIRONMENT OF YOUR COUNTRYIn 1519, Hernan Cortes, a Spanish general, arrived in Mexico with 500 conquistadors.  Cortes set out to conquer the Aztecs and was able to do so for three main reasons:A. Some Aztecs mistook Cortés

for the great Aztec god Quetzalcoatl, who had lighter skin, (kwet-zul-kuh-WAHtul) and welcomed him as a hero.  

B.  The Spanish formed alliances with Indians who were angry about Aztec rule.

C. Smallpox killed large numbers of Aztec warriors.

SPAIN STARTS AN EMPIRE

• The Spaniards leveled the city of Tenochtitlan and built Mexico city, which became the capital of the new Spanish empire.

COMIC STRIP DIRECTIONS

• Using the information from this presentation, create a neatly designed comic strip that brings to life how the Spanish conquered the Aztecs. Include key terms, thoughts of characters, dialogue and accurate descriptions. When you finish, log onto Socrative.com and take your exit ticket.