DATE: ______

SPANISH CONQUEST

DO NOW:What advantages did the Native Americans/Spanish have over their opponent?

NATIVE PEOPLES / SPANISH
Advantages

CORTES VS. MOCTEZUMA II

DATE: ______

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.

DATE: ______

  • 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?

CORTEZ THE KILLER BY NEIL YOUNG (7:31)

DATE: ______

DATE: ______

  • 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 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.

Questions:

1)Why were colonies considered so important to the nations of Europe?______

2)Why might establishing overseas colonies have justified high profits for those who financed the colonies?______

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 and at least one transition. ______

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

a. Hernan CORTESCONQUISTADORS (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.