Spanish Conquest
At a glance:
- Series: Magill’s Guide to Military History
- Categories: Military History, Land Acquisition and Expansion, Territory Redistribution
- Subcategories: Colonialism, Colonies, Settlements, Empires, Dynasties, Native Americans, American Indians, Invasions, Raids, Conquests, Sieges
- Curriculum: Renaissance History, Latin American History, American Indian History, American Pre-Colonial History (to 1606), Spanish/Portuguese History
- Geographical Location: Mexico, Peru, West Indies
- Date: 1519-1572
Article abstract: At issue: European dominance in the American hemisphere. Result: Spanish victory and decline of Central and South American Indian civilizations.
Background
Spanish conquerors of the New World employed principles of organization perfected during the 770-year Reconquest of Spain by the Moors. Conquistadors organized themselves as compañas (companies), whose members shared the hardships and the profits of their military expeditions. Each compaña was headed by a captain who had royal authorization for conquest, making him a...
[The entire page is 1073 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
