Unraveling the Past: Key Events and Figures that Shaped History

In this history lesson, students will explore significant events and key figures that shaped a particular era. Through engaging discussions, primary source analysis, and multimedia presentations, students will gain a deeper understanding of the political, social, and cultural factors that influenced historical developments. The lesson emphasizes critical thinking, encouraging students to evaluate different perspectives and assess the impact of these events on the present day. By the end of the session, students will have a broader appreciation of history’s relevance and its role in shaping contemporary society.

1. Chapter 2 Section 1
Spain’s Empire in the Americas

2. Remember there is a quiz next
class period on this Section
Key Terms and people are in BOLD

3. The Reconquista

4. Conquistadors
Conquistadors were explorers who went to the
Americas in search of gold and silver
Who were they?
Professional soldiers

5. Cortés and the Aztecs
Hernan Cortés was a conquistador who conquered the
Aztec people and set the groundwork for the modern nation
of Mexico
Cortés heard of a wealthy empire located on the mainland
(This empire was the Aztec Civilization)
He left Cuba with only 600 soldiers, 17 horses, and ten cannons
Cortés befriended the Nahua people who were old enemies of
the Aztecs

6. Cortés cont.
The Spanish were amazed when they reached the capital
city of the Aztecs Tenochtitlán

7. Indian opinions of the Spanish
The Aztec leader Montezuma at first believed Cortés was
a God
The Aztec’s saw the Spanish as obsessed with gold
The Aztecs army had around 300,000 troops how were the Spanish
able to conquer Tenochtitlán?
Disease Allying with the Aztec’s enemies
Superior Firepower
Fear Factor

8. The Spanish Empire Expands
After burning Techotitlan Cortés laid out
plans for a new colony of the Spanish Empire
called New Spain (Mexico and Central
America)
Spanish now have huge amounts of gold and
silver
The Spanish set up several systems to ensure
they made money and kept control
What was the name of the new capital city?

9. Race in the Spanish Empire
Anyone born in Spain was at the top of the social
hierarchy. These men and women were known as
peninsulares.
If a person of Spanish descent had a child with an Indian
the baby would be known as a mestizo (most Latin
Americans classify themselves as mestizo)
At the bottom of the hierarchy were Indians and African
slaves.

10. Encomienda System
Under this system the Spanish
forced the Indians to work for them
usually farming, mining, or
ranching.
Land in New Spain was given out by
the King of Spain usually as a gift.
Any Indians living on that land were
the slaves of the owner of the land.

11. Expanding further
Juan Ponce de León – Explorer who discovered Florida
The Spanish under Francisco Pizzaro conquered the Incan
Empire located in the Andes Mountains
 Missionaries traveled to the north of New Spain to convert
Indians into the modern U.S.
These missions would be the first European settlements in
California, Arizona, and Texas
Named the northern holding New Mexico
Set up the 1,500 mile highway “El Camino Real”

12. Resistance to the Spanish
Missionaries tried to stop Indian ceremonies and rituals
They also forced Indians to pay a tribute to the missions
because they were “helping them”
Popé was a Pueblo religious leader who had been punished for
practicing his religion
He led a successful revolt that overthrew Spanish control
14 years until they re-took New Mexico

13. Spain established a
profitable empire in the
Americas
Huge amounts
of Gold and
Silver found in
New World
Encomienda
System forces
Indians into
slave labor
Aztec and
Incan
Empires
conquered
Native
peoples die
out due to
disease and
starvation
Society in the
colonies has
the Spanish
at the top
Other European
powers start
colonizing much
later

14. Decline of the
Spanish Empire

15. Latin America Today
Spanish language
Roman Catholic Religion
Architecture
Large Spanish and Mestizo
Populations throughout
Latin America

16. Video Links
Incan Empire
Aztec Religion