APWH Spanish Conquest and Colonization

Conquistador

Spanish nobles who came to the New World seeking wealth, land, and status.

Hernan Cortes

Spanish conquistador who led the expedition to conquer the Aztec Empire.

Moctezuma II

The Aztec Emperor who initially believed Cortés was a god and sent him gifts.

Tenochtitlan

The capital city of the Aztec Empire, located on the site of present-day Mexico City.

La Malinche

An indigenous woman who served as Cortés' translator and likely mistress.

Pizarro

Spanish conquistador who led the conquest of the Incan Empire.

Atahualpa

The last Incan emperor before the Spanish conquest, captured and executed by Pizarro.

Encomienda System

A labor system where Spanish settlers were granted land along with the natives living there.

Peninsulares

Spaniards born in Spain, at the top of the Spanish colonial social hierarchy.

Creole

People born in New Spain of Spanish parents, below Peninsulares in social hierarchy.

Mestizo

Individuals born of Spanish and Native American parents.

Smallpox

A disease brought by Spaniards that devastated Native American populations.

New Laws of the Indies

Laws passed in 1542 to protect Native Americans from exploitation.

Viceroy

A governor who ruled a province in the Spanish colonies.

Peon

Native laborers under the encomienda system.

Cuzco

The capital of the Incan Empire.

Manco Capac

Incan puppet emperor installed by the Spanish after Atahualpa's execution.

Potosi Silver Mine

A major silver mine in Peru that contributed to inflation in Europe.