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5.1 Europeans Reach the Americas

5.1 Europeans Reach the Americas. Asian Spices and Chinese Silks. Europeans wanted Asian trade goods – fine silks for clothing and spices to preserve and improve their food. Overland trade routes were dangerous

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5.1 Europeans Reach the Americas

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  1. 5.1 Europeans Reach the Americas

  2. Asian Spices and Chinese Silks • Europeans wanted Asian trade goods – fine silks for clothing and spices to preserve and improve their food. • Overland trade routes were dangerous • As a result, in the late 1400’s nations in Western Europe raced to find an all water route

  3. Christopher Columbus • An Italian sailor, Christopher Columbus believed that the could reach Asia by sailing across the Atlantic Ocean. • Although he was Italian, he sailed for Spain.

  4. The Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria • Three ships were given to Columbus by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella from Spain • On August 3, 1492, Columbus set sail and reached the Bahamas on October 12, 1492 • He mistakenly landed on the continent known as North America

  5. Spanish Conquest of the Americas • Spain’s rulers waned to expand their Empire by taking control of the Americas • Spain wanted to add to their wealth and spread Christianity • Spain sent conquistadors to explore. Soldiers and adventurers in search of glory, gold and land.

  6. Cortes Marches through Mexico • In 1519, Hernan Cortes and his troops sailed from Spanish Cuba to the eastern coast of Mexico. • He was told of the vast wealth of the Aztec empire and wanted to find and conquer them.

  7. The meeting of Moctezuma II and Cortes • The Aztec had large amounts of gold, precious gems and silver. • Moctezuma gave Cortes peace offerings from his treasure, but it was not enough • Cortes took Moctezuma captive and began planning on how to conquer the Aztec.

  8. Cortes conquers the Aztec • In May of 1521, the Spaniards and their Indian allies took Tenoctitlan. • After a long and brutal fight, in August of 1521, they defeated the Aztec. Many of the Aztec were killed or enslaved and Tenoctitlan laid in ruins. • Much of the great wealth was sent back to Spain and Cortes built Mexico City.

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