The Spanish Conquistadors were adventurers during the Medieval times who sought fame and riches by exploring and conquering lands in the Americas following the Reconquest of Spain from the Muslims. Key figures like Hernando Cortes and Francisco Pizarro led expeditions to conquer the Aztec and Inca empires, respectively, using deception, violence, and technology advantages to defeat forces many times their size and claim the lands and wealth for Spain. The Conquistadors were motivated by monetary gain, expanding Catholicism and the Spanish empire.

1. Spanish Conquistadors
Devon Johnson

2. Who Were the Conquistadors?
• Conquistadors were Spanish adventurers during the
Medieval times that came to America to seek fame and
riches.
• Translated into English, Conquistador literally means
“conqueror”.
Devon Johnson

3. History of the Conquistadors
• In the 600’s, the Muslim prophet Muhammad invaded
Spain, which was quickly overran by the Muslims.
• Gathering their strength, the Spaniards soon retaliated
against the Muslims, beginning the centuries-long war
called the Reconquista or Reconquest.
• The Reconquista was seen as a continuation of the
Crusades, a series of holy wars in the Medieval times.
• After nearly 800 years of conflict, the Reconquista came
to a close in 1492 when the last Muslim stronghold was
retaken by the Spaniards.
Devon Johnson

4. History of the Conquistadors
• In early 1493, Christopher Columbus returned from his
voyage across the Pacific, and shared his findings of a
strange new land he had discovered.
• Fueled by their lust for power and victory over the
Muslims, the Spaniards saw it as their mission to explore
and conquer this new land.
• Soon, many Spanish explorers set sail to the Americas,
proudly calling themselves conquistadors.
Devon Johnson

5. What Motivated the Conquistadors?
• The conquistadors had a variety of motives:
Monetary gain Fame Spreading Expanding the
Catholicism Spanish empire
Devon Johnson

6. Hernando Cortés
Conqueror of the Aztecs
1519 ~ Cortés lands on the coast of Mexico with 550 men
and 16 horses
1519 ~ Cortés convinces rebellious Aztecs to ally with him;
City of Tenochtitlán is invaded by Cortés and
Montezuma II is captured. Cortés is driven out of
Tenochtitlán.
1521 ~ After laying siege to Tenochtitlán, the city falls to
Cortés Devon Johnson

7. Francisco Pizarro
Conqueror of the Incans
1531 ~ Pizarro travels to modern day Peru to discover the
Inca empire.
1531 ~ Using Cortés’ tactics as a blueprint, Pizarro invades
the capital city with his 180 men and the emperor is
seized, killing 7,000 Incans without a single loss.
1533 ~ A ransom of a “room full of gold and silver” is
assembled to free Incan emperor, Pizarro kills emperor.
1541 ~ Pizarro is assassinated in his palace. Devon Johnson

8. Sources
Davis, Paul K. (2013). conquistadores. In World History:
Ancient and Medieval Eras. Retrieved March 1, 2013,
from http://ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/
Wood, Michael (2000). The Conquistadors. PBS online.
Retrieved from
http://www.pbs.org/opb/conquistadors/home.htm
http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/spanish-
conquistadors.htm. (2010). Retrieved from
http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/spanish-
conquistadors.htm
Devon Johnson