Spanish Explorers & Conquistadors
He was an ambitious soldier who sailed to Mexico in 1519 with 700 soldiers and 16 horses.
Who is Hernan Cortes?
This was the capital city of the Aztec Empire with a population of about 200,000 people.
What is Tenochtitlan?
This Spanish weapon could shoot arrows further and penetrate most types of armor.
What is a crossbow?
This coastal town invited the Spanish and complained about Aztec tributes, then joined Cortes' forces.
What is Zempoala?
The attitude that people from different backgrounds deserve equal respect and can contribute to a shared community.
What is cosmopolitanism?
This explorer approached the Spanish Royal Court in 1492 with an idea to sail west to find Asia.
Who is Christopher Columbus?
He was the Aztec emperor who sent gifts to Cortes and later became a prisoner in his own palace.
Who is Moctezuma II?
The Aztecs used this spearthrower for great range and force in battle.
What is an atlatl?
These neighboring city-states initially resisted the Spanish but then joined forces with Cortes after learning his target was the Aztec Empire.
What are Tlaxcala and other allied city-states?
Religious leaders such as monks, nuns, priests, or ministers who teach and convert others to a religion.
What are missionaries?
He was a Spanish military officer who became wealthy on Hispaniola and led the conquest of Cuba.
Who is Diego Velazquez?
The Aztecs believed this god of wind would return from the east around the year 1519.
Who is Quetzalcoatl?
These animals, unknown to the Aztecs, gave the Spanish a tactical advantage in battle.
What are horses?
Cortes used this strategy when arriving on the Mexican coast: seek peaceful meetings, exchange gifts, assess military strength, then take the leader captive.
What is the strategy of diplomacy followed by capture?
A part noble knight and part explorer who combined ambitions of chivalry and expansion.
What is a conquistador?
Cortes destroyed these to prevent his men from retreating and to commit fully to his conquest.
What are ships?
According to Aztec beliefs, their leaders were expected to do this to expand their power and control.
What is engage in conflict/expansion?
Aztec war clubs were made of these two materials, which could split against Spanish armor.
What are wood and obsidian?
He was the conquistador left in charge of Tenochtitlan while Cortes went to face a new Spanish threat from the coast.
Who is Pedro Alvarado?
The Aztec language spoken by Malinche that was crucial to Cortes' communication with the empire.
What is Nahuatl?
This person was Cortes' valuable interpreter, advisor, and eventually his wife.
Who is Malinche?
An estimated one-quarter of Tenochtitlan's population died from this disease during the Spanish conquest.
What is smallpox?
This metal, which the Aztecs did not have, was used to make Spanish weapons and armor.
What is iron?
This was Cortes' strategic advantage in building his army—he allied with city-states that were enemies of or dissatisfied with Aztec rule.
What is exploiting resentment toward Aztec tribute demands and imperial control?
A medieval code of honor followed by European knights emphasizing loyalty, courage, and protection of the weak.
What is chivalry?