The Exploration and Colonization of the Americas (1451 – 1506)

•Explorer, colonizer, and navigator. •Born in the Republic of Genoa, Italy. •With the approval and support of the Catholics Monarchs made four successful voyages to the New World (Islands of Hispaniola and the Americas).

The 4 voyages of Christopher Columbus

Charles I of 24 February 1500 – 21 September 1558

Themes underlying the colonization of regions •European countries were fighting religious wars with Muslim states of Northern Africa… •The Reconquista (The Reconquest) was a period of 800 years of war. •700 A.D. – 1492 A.D. •800 Years of war was costly and money, commodities, and resources were needed to fight: -Exotic foods and spices. -Plants and linens. -Precious metals (, silver, and bronze) that could be melted down to create weapons and which also served as money. -Labor (slavery) •Christianization of the New World.

The Conquest of (1521) Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro (1485 – 1547)

•Born 1484 in Medillin, Extremadura, Spain. •Studied law at the University of Salamanca but dropped out to move to the Americas (Cuba) in 1504, he was 19. •Became secretary to the Governor of Cuba, Diego Velázquez. •1518 Velázquez appoints Cortez to an expedition beyond the island of Cuba, the third in a series of trips. •Personal problems develop between Velázquez and Cortez and the appointment is retracted. •2/10/1519 Cortez sails despite orders not too. •11 galleons, 110 sailors, 500 soldiers, 32 crossbow, 14 pieces of artillery, 16 horses.

The Conquest of Tenochtitlan (1521) La Malinche (c. 1496 or c. 1505 – c. 1529) Malintzin, Malinalli or Doña Marina

• noble woman by birth sold as a slave to the Tabascans of the Gulf Coast of . •A member of the 20 woman given to Cortez after the Tabascans were defeated in a short battle in 1519. •Spoke , Maya, and learned Spanish quickly… •Mistress to Cortez and bore him a son – Martin Cortez Tenepal. •Later married Captain Juan Jaramillo in marriage, a close associate of Cortez.

Pedro de Alvarado Extremadura, Spain, ca. 1485 or ca. 1495 Died Guadalajara, , 4 July 1541

•Captain in Cortez’s army. •Skilled military man, participated in the conquest of Cuba. •Took charge of Tenochtitlan, while Cortez was in the Gulf Coast. Ordered the massacre of hundreds of unarmed nobles and commoners. •Chase out of Tenochtitlan by Aztec rebellion… •1523 to 1527 conquered Guatemala and El Salvador… •Governor of Guatemala…

Cuauhtémoc (Descending Eagle) c. 14951 – 28 February 1525 Aztec ruler () 1520 to 1521. Last Aztec ruler…

•Nephew of Moctezuma II and son of and princess Tilancapatl. •In 1520, at the age of 24, took control of the Aztecs. •Captured in 1521, tortured in 1525, and hanged in Honduras. The conquest of Tenochtitlan TIMELINE •February 10, 1519 – Cortez leaves Cuba. •October 1519 – Spanish massacre hundreds of Aztecs at Cholula. •March 19, 1519 – Geronimo and La Malinche join Cortez and the conquest. •November 7, 1519 – Cortez and Moctezuma II meet in Tenochtitlan. •April 21, 1519 – Cortez establishes , assuming title Captain General. •July 1, 1520 – Moctezuma II dies/killed. •August – September, 1519 – Cortez battles •August 13, 1521 – Cuauhtémoc surrenders the the Tlaxcalans. city of Tenochtitlan. The conquest: Reasons for Spanish success •Technology: Steel weaponry aided Cortes. Horses, hunting dogs, swords, and cannons. •Allies: City-states that resented the Aztec’s quickly turned against them, and formed thee bulk of Cortez’s army. •Religion: Moctezuma II was supposedly caught weary, believing that Cortez was Topiltzin – , a legendary leader returning for his people, and throne. •Interpreters: Cortez’s translators (La Malinche and Jeronimo) provided vital support, and La Malinche remained loyal to Cortez throughout the conquest. •Diseases: Small pox, measles, killed off 80% of the Aztec population by 1521.