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• Who were the conquistadors?


  -Professional soldiers who took part in expeditions to conquer lands in the Americas.
• What was the first permanent settlement on mainland America?

  -Santa Maria de la Antigua del Darien (Darien)
• Why did Darien flourish?


  -The Spaniards built houses and planted crops.

  -Dominated the natives with both force and friendship.

  -Collected vast quantities of food and gold from the natives.
• What did Balboa become in 1511 and what did this let him do?


  -Balboa became a captain general and governor of Darien by Ferdinand.

  -He had a free hand in invading and conquering in the name of Spain, including torturing the natives.
• What was the significance of Balboa's expedition in 1513?


  -Balboa led an expedition that crossed the Isthmus of Panama and discovered the Pacific Ocean.

  -After sending back large quantities of gold further expeditions were possible
• What happened on Balboa's expedition of 1513?


  -Took with him 190 Spaniards, 1,000 natives and a pack of fighting dogs.

  -Gold was stolen from the natives and given to the Spanish to appease them.

  -Much land was claimed as they trekked westward into central America.
• Why was Nombre de Dios founded?


  It was where Pedrarias and Espinosa met after exploring the Isthmus of Panama and they agreed it was a good site for a settlement.
• Why was Panama so significant?


  -It was situated on the Pacific Ocean, close to Nombre de Dios, so a trade route could be established.

  -Land was fertile and teeming with fish.

  -It was a port well-situated for Spanish treasure ships.

  -Most of the inhabitants of Darien were moved to Panama and Darien was destroyed.
• What was the Camino Real?


  A route between Panama and Nombre de Dios and was the quickest way of moving good and messages between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
• How long did it take Velázquez to capture Hatuey?


  three months
• What events lead to the invasion of Cuba?

  -Death from illness had reduced the number of natives working in Haiti and more were needed.

  -Around 400 natives escaped Haiti, including the chief (Hatuey) in 1511 to worn Cuban natives about the brutality of the Spaniards.
• When and why did Hatuey die?


  -In 1512 despite strong resistance.

  -Offered execution if he converted to Christianity, but he refused as he did not want to spend eternity with Spaniards.

  -Therefore the Spaniards tied him to a stake and burned him alive.
• What and when was the Massacre at Caonao?


  -In 1513

  -2,000 native people were massacred, which was started by one spaniard who ran amok in the village.

  -The rest of the spaniards joined in after.
• When was the conquest of Cuba complete and what did this lead to?


  -January 1514

  -Santiago de Cuba, capital found in 1514
• What was the significance of the capture of Cuba?


  -Encomienda system was established in Cuba

  -Allowed for the cultivation of crops e.g. tobacco on the island

  -Native population declined from 35,000 in 1514 to 3000 by 1555.

  -Lead to further exploration and conquest.
• What were some of the problems Magellan faced on his voyage?


  -March-April 1520: Mutiny on Victoria, Concepcion and San Antonio.

  -November 1520: Crew hit by scurvy

  -27 April 1521: Magellan and other crew killed in battle.

  -21 December 1521: Victoria sails home by itself as Trinidad is repaired.
• When did Magellan set sail?


  On September 20 1519
• What were the ships called on Magellan's voyage?


  -Trinidad

  -San Antonio

  -Santiago

  -Concepcion

  -Victoria

  -Carried 270 men heavily armed with enough food and water for the year.
• Why was the quest for the Spice Islands so important?

  -The Treaty of Tordesillas did not specify whether the Spice Islands belonged to Spain or Portugal.

  -Charles I wanted Magellan to find the islands to develop trade in spice for Spain.

  -Magellan was keen to take up the challenge of finding the new route.
• Why was Magellan's voyage important?


  -Established the Earth was round and Columbus was right that the Indies could be reached by sailing westwards.

  -Opened up the Pacific leading to exploration of the East Indies.

  -The Philippines became part of the Spanish Empire.
• When did the Victoria arrive back in Spain?


  -Monday 8 September 1522

  -Only 1 ship and 18 crew members remained.
• Why did the Spanish send an expedition to Mexico?

  -Explorers who returned to Cuba in 1518 had brought back beautiful gold and silver objects and stories of the cities.

  -Velázquez, the governor of Cuba was ambitious and wanted church approval for spreading Christianity.

  -Cortes had become more wealthy working for Velázquez and the prospect of treasure made him want to launch an expedition.
• Why was there tension between Cortes and Velázquez?


  -Velázquez appointed Cortes as commander of the expedition, however just before departure Velázquez changed his mind.

  -This is because he wanted to claim the wealth for himself.

  -He sent out to have Cortes arrested, but he had already left for Mexico.
• What was Mexico like in 1519?


  -Mexico was dominated by the Aztec Empire, which had existed for hundreds of years.

  -The Aztec empire was ruled by Montezuma.

  -Many tribes resented the rule of the Aztecs and could be allies for the Spaniards.

  -The Aztec capital was Tenochtitlan, which contained 300,000 people and was bigger than any European city.
• Why was the situation bad for the Spanish in Mexico in September 1519?


  -Cortes was only leading a small group that could easily be wiped out.

  -They had no way of renewing supplies or ammunition.

  -By sinking ships they had no line of escape.

  -The natives were not afraid of the Spanish e.g. gunpowder and horses.
• Why did Cortes sink the ships when he arrived in Mexico?


  -To given himself and his men no choice but to remain in Mexico.

  -Sinking the ships was symbolic: it signified Cortes' commitment to exploring and conquering Mexico.
• When and what was the Massacre of Choula?


  -In October 1519

  -Choula was a holy city, not guarded well as the people believed the gods would protect it.

  -3,000 Aztecs were massacred.

  -Showed the power of the Spaniards, sending shock waves around the Aztec Empire.
• What group of natives did Cortes ally with?


  The Tlaxcalan
• What happened after the Spanish were greeted by Montezuma?


  -On 8 November, Cortes and forces enter Tenochtitlan greeted by Montezuma.

  -Montezuma speaking through Malinche greeted the Spanish and gave them gifts.

  -On 14 November, Spanish felt isolated and took Montezuma as prisoner.

  -Montezuma was used as a 'puppet ruler'.

  -Christian images were displayed in Aztec temples.
• When did the Spanish arrive in Tenochtitlan?


  November 1519
• What happened in April 1520?


  1,000 Spaniards landed at Vera Cruz, ordered by Velázquez to take Cortes and arrest him.
• Who did Cortes leave in charge of Tenochtitlan and what were the consequences?


  -His deputy Pedro de Alvardo.

  -Alvardo was afraid the natives would attack the Spanish so the Aztec nobles were massacred.

  -Montezuma was killed

  -The Aztecs retaliated, leading to the Night of Tears.
• What lead to the Night of Tears?


  -From June 24-29 1520 Spanish were trapped and grew increasingly worried.

  -On 29 June Montezuma was killed.
• When and what was the Night of Tears?


  -30 June 1520

  -The Spanish tried to leave Tenochtitlan, but were caught.

  -The Aztecs killed half the Spanish and thousands of Tlaxcalans and their native allies.
• When was Tenochtitlan captured by the Spanish?


  13 August 1521
• How did the Spaniards manage to capture Tenochtitlan after regrouping?

  -Re-grouped with Tlaxcalan between July 1520 and April 1521.

  -Made alliances with native tribes who lived around Lake Texcoco, who hated the Spanish.

  -Took control of Lake Texcoco using boats.

  -Found the natives inside Tenochtitlan dying of starvation and disease.
• What were some of Cortes' actions as governor?


  -Built Mexico City on the site of Tenochtitlan.

  -All Aztec religious temples were destroyed.

  -Developed Mexican agriculture by importing sheep etc. to make Mexico self-sufficient.

  -Developed industry e.g. textile manufacturing.

  -Killed many Aztec religious and political leaders so he couldn't be challenged.

  -From 1523 friars were sent to Mexico to convert natives into Christianity.
• Why was Cortes removed as governor of New Spain?


  -Velázquez was determined to claim the wealth for himself.

  -Rumours of greed spread to the Spanish court.

  -Charles I was worried Cortes had too much power and needed to control him.

  -In 1528 Cortes returned to Spain to explain himself to the king, whom demoted him, but allowed him to keep his land.
• How were the Aztecs effected by Spanish rule?


  -Forced conversion to Christianity.

  -Disease caused the population to go from 25 million in 1519 to 6.2 million in 1555.

  -New industries caused Aztecs to become slaves.

  -As many Aztec leaders were killed the Aztecs had and had to look to the Spanish for leadership.

  -Aztecs had to learn Spanish for trade and to document their history.