2. Spanish Conquest
The Spanish conquest can be explained mostly
by these factors:
• Epidemic disease
• Micro patriotism
• Metal weapons
• Native assistance
These factors combined gave the Spanish
Conquistadors the advantage in battle.
3. The Allied Natives
Knowing the real number of the “friendly” or
“allied” natives is almost impossible, as often
the Spanish didn’t mention their allied
companions. We do know that the
conquistadors were outnumbered by the
natives. Even before “The Conquest of
Mexico” had started, the invaders were
outnumbered by the natives and as time went
by, that number became more and more
profound.
4. Rewarding Titles
• All Spaniards participating in
conquering lands, discovering,
exploring and civilizing had to
submit reports to Royal officials.
• These reports were submitted in
order to gain new titles and rewards
for participating in such events such
as the ones mentioned before.
• Just like the Spaniards, native
elites and even entire native
communities submitted petitions
for the rewards granted to those
participating.
• These natives submitted petitions
calling themselves conquistadors
and claiming rights.
• The letters sent by the natives give
an idea how the real number of
natives that participated in the
conquest and wars that took place.
