Introduction to Spanish Introduction to Spanish ConquestConquest

© 2011Clairmont Press

Who were the Who were the conquistadors?conquistadors?

• The Spanish word The Spanish word ““conquistador”conquistador” means means conqueror. conqueror.

• The conquistadors were The conquistadors were commoners in Europe who were commoners in Europe who were motivated by three major reasons. motivated by three major reasons. • GodGod• GoldGold• And GloryAnd Glory

• These commoners sought to move These commoners sought to move up in a European society up in a European society dominated by nobility and family dominated by nobility and family blood lines.blood lines.

• These were ruthless, motivated, These were ruthless, motivated, fearless, and dangerous men.fearless, and dangerous men.

• They were skilled fighters, They were skilled fighters, navigators, and deeply religious.navigators, and deeply religious.

Who were the Who were the Conquistadors?Conquistadors?

• The controversial The controversial conquistadors were very conquistadors were very driven and motivated men. driven and motivated men. They were often murderous They were often murderous and cruel.and cruel.

• Their motivation for wealth Their motivation for wealth and power led them to and power led them to accomplish unthinkable accomplish unthinkable goals.goals.

• They felt they were They felt they were commissioned by God so commissioned by God so they would ultimately they would ultimately succeed.succeed.

• Stories of their will and Stories of their will and accomplishments cannot be accomplishments cannot be understated.understated.

The Three Gs: Motivators of ConquestThe Three Gs: Motivators of Conquest

•GodGod•GoldGold•GloryGlory

GodGod

• Pope Julius awarded all lands in the New World to be Pope Julius awarded all lands in the New World to be split between the Spanish and Portuguese.split between the Spanish and Portuguese.

• He called for the conversion of Native Americans and He called for the conversion of Native Americans and sought the creation of a Catholic utopia or perfect sought the creation of a Catholic utopia or perfect society.society.

• He proclaimed that every converted native would be He proclaimed that every converted native would be guaranteed a place in heaven.guaranteed a place in heaven.• This gave the conquistadors free reign in their own lives.This gave the conquistadors free reign in their own lives.

• The Pope said that all natives were absent from God The Pope said that all natives were absent from God and thus were in control of Satan. This mindset would and thus were in control of Satan. This mindset would dramatically effect the treatment of the natives.dramatically effect the treatment of the natives.

GoldGold

• Nothing motivated the Spanish Conquistadors Nothing motivated the Spanish Conquistadors more than finding gold.more than finding gold.

• Mercantilism, or the belief that one should gain Mercantilism, or the belief that one should gain as much wealth for his own country motivated as much wealth for his own country motivated these men to search for gold.these men to search for gold.

• The more gold they found, the more power and The more gold they found, the more power and wealth they obtained for the Spanish crown wealth they obtained for the Spanish crown and themselves.and themselves.

• The conquistadors would become expert The conquistadors would become expert treasure hunters and would stop at nothing to treasure hunters and would stop at nothing to gain more gold.gain more gold.

GloryGlory

• In European society, those who were not noble In European society, those who were not noble had very little chance of moving up in society.had very little chance of moving up in society.

• Life as a commoner was often hard.Life as a commoner was often hard.

• The Spanish Conquistadors wanted to be The Spanish Conquistadors wanted to be remembered and revered for their great remembered and revered for their great accomplishments.accomplishments.

• This motivated them to great conquests at great This motivated them to great conquests at great odds.odds.

• Many conquests were unimaginable and daunting, Many conquests were unimaginable and daunting, this only added to their fame at home.this only added to their fame at home.