Effects Of Spanish Conquest Flashcards
What is the Columbian Exchange?
The transfer of crops, livestock, people and disease between the Americas and the rest of the world after Columbus’ arrival in the Caribbean
Why did European diseases have such a catastrophic impact on the native Americans?
The people did not have any immunity to these new diseases
What was the disease that claimed the most lives?
Smallpox
Why did civil war break out among the Incas?
As their leaders died, there was a struggle for succession
How did Spanish conquest change the Incas view of their gods?
Many felt their gods had abandoned them and they turned to Christianity instead
Why were the Tlaxcalans prepared to help the Spanish against the Aztecs?
They were terrified of the Spanish, felt humiliated of the Aztecs and traditionally despised the Aztecs and their tribute system
Why was Tenochtitlan destroyed?
The resistance was so strong that cannons were needed to flatten the city
What was the fate of the Sapa Inca Atahualpa?
He was executed by the Spanish
Why was the Battle of Cajamarca so one sided?
The Spanish ambushed the Incas, the Incas were not prepared for battle and Spanish guns and horses were far superiors weapons
What made the Inca empire easier to destroy?
Their clear chain of command meant that the leaders were taken out
What was the fate of the Aztecs after being defeated?
They lost their land and became slaves to the Spanish
How did the ethnic composition of the regions change after the Spanish conquest?
Many natives died and Spanish settlers and African slaves changed the population dramatically
How did the conquest of the Americas lead to a population increase in Europe?
Food taken from the Americas lead to a healthier diet
