Explorations and Conquests in the New World

What were the primary motivations for Spanish explorers to cross the Atlantic after Columbus's voyages?

• To seek gold and personal glory

• To establish trade routes

• To find new lands for settlement

• To escape political unrest in Spain

Who was the first European to see the Pacific Ocean, and what was the significance of this discovery?

• Christopher Columbus; it marked the discovery of a new continent

• Francisco Pizarro; it resulted in the fall of the Inca Empire

• Vasco Núñez de Balboa; it opened new routes for exploration

• Hernan Cortes; it led to the conquest of the Aztecs

How did Hernan Cortes manage to conquer the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan?

• By using advanced weaponry

• By receiving reinforcements from Spain

• By forming alliances with rebellious tribes

• By negotiating a peaceful surrender

What role did Francisco Pizarro play in the Spanish conquests in the Americas?

• He established the first Spanish colony in the New World

• He conquered the Aztec Empire

• He discovered the Pacific Ocean

• He led the conquest of the Inca Empire

What was the most devastating impact of the European arrival on the native populations in the Americas?

• Establishment of trade routes

• Introduction of new agricultural techniques

• Spread of Christianity

• Outbreak of diseases like smallpox