1. The First Global Age:Europe, the Americas, and Africa Conquest in the Americas

2. First Encounters 1492 Christopher Columbus landed in the West Indies Encountered the Taino people Lived in villages Grew corn, yams, and cotton Friendly and generous toward the Spanish

3. First Encounters cont. Settled on the islands of Hispaniola Seized the gold ornaments worn by the Tainos, then made them pan for gold Forced them to convert Christianity Natives unknowingly exposed to European Diseases Smallpox, measles influenza

4. The Conquistadors Hernan Cortes Landed in Mexico 1519 with 600 men, 16 horses and cannons Arrange alliances with discontented groups Moctezuma(Aztec Emperor) Believed Cortes was the god-king Sent gifts of gold and silver

5. Fall of the Aztecs In 1521 Cortes captured and destroyed the Aztecs Spanish later built Mexico City on the Aztec Capital

6. Incas Francisco Pizarro Arrived in Peru in 1532 Spanish destroyed the Incas after demanding treasures

7. Reason for Spanish Victory Superior military technology Division and discontent among the Indians Disease brought by the Europeans weakened the Aztecs and Incas Many Indians believed that the disasters they suffered marked the world’s end