Conquistadors
Definition
Conquistadors were explorers and soldiers from Spain who sought to conquer new lands in the Americas during the 15th and 16th centuries.
Analogy
Imagine conquistadors like players in a video game who are trying to unlock new levels (lands) while collecting treasures (resources) along their journey.
Related terms
Christopher Columbus: An Italian explorer sponsored by Spain who completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, opening up widespread European exploration into America.
Francisco Pizarro: A Spanish conquistador who led an expedition that conquered the Inca Empire in Peru.
Age of Exploration/Discovery: The period between 15th-17th centuries when Europeans explored Africa, Asia and America largely driven by economic motives such as trade routes and wealth accumulation.
"Conquistadors" appears in:
Subjects (1)
Practice Questions (1)
- Which term best describes Spain's policy of granting conquistadors authority over conquered lands and peoples during the conquest?
Resources
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