Discovery of the Caribbean islands

Christopher Columbus's voyage in 1492 led to the discovery of the Caribbean islands

Initial search for trade routes to Asia

The Spanish initially hoped to find trade routes to Asia through their exploration of the New World

Shift towards exploration of the mainland

After realizing the Caribbean did not hold the wealth they sought, the Spanish shifted their focus towards the mainland of the Americas

Hernan Cortes's march into Tenochtitlan

In 1519, Hernan Cortes led an expedition into the heart of the Aztec Empire, capturing the Aztec ruler Moctezuma II

Formation of alliances with indigenous groups

Cortes's ability to form alliances with subjugated indigenous groups was crucial in his campaign against the Aztecs

Use of superior military technology

Through the use of firearms, cannons, and naval blockades, Cortes was able to defeat the Aztecs and bring their empire under Spanish control

Francisco Pizarro's arrival in the Andean region

In 1532, Francisco Pizarro arrived in the Andean region and took advantage of a recent civil war within the Inca Empire

Exploitation of internal divisions

Pizarro's forces were able to defeat the Incas through a combination of military force, treachery, and exploitation of internal divisions

Consolidation of Spanish power

By 1572, the Spanish had quelled the last of the Inca resistance and established their dominion over the former Inca territories

Introduction of European diseases

The introduction of European diseases, such as smallpox, played a significant role in the fall of indigenous societies and the ease of Spanish conquest

Establishment of a colonial empire

The successful conquests by the Spanish led to the establishment of an extensive colonial empire in the Americas known as New Spain

Cultural and social impact

Spanish colonization introduced European elements and created a complex social fabric in the Americas, characterized by the intermingling of different peoples