Spanish Conquest and Colonial Society

The video discusses the development of Spanish colonies in the New World, focusing on notable conquistadors like Francisco Pizarro and Hernan Cortes, who conquered the Incas and Aztecs, respectively. It also covers other explorers like Ponce de Leon and Balboa. The Spanish established colonies using the encomienda system, which exploited native labor. A rigid class system was formed, with peninsularies at the top and slaves at the bottom, offering little social mobility.

What was the primary role of the Spanish conquistadors in the New World?

• To explore new territories for scientific research

• To conquer and claim land for Spain

• To spread democracy

• To establish trade routes

How did Francisco Pizarro manage to conquer the Incan Empire with a small force?

• He took advantage of the Incas' civil war and captured their emperor

• He used advanced military tactics

• He formed alliances with other tribes

• He had superior weapons and technology

What legend contributed to Hernan Cortes' success in conquering the Aztecs?

• The legend of the Fountain of Youth

• The legend of the Seven Cities of Gold

• The legend of El Dorado

• The legend of Quetzalcoatl

Which disease significantly weakened the Aztec population during Cortes' conquest?

• Smallpox

• Influenza

• Cholera

• Malaria

Who was the first European to see the Pacific Ocean?

• Hernan Cortes

• Francisco Pizarro

• Vasco Núñez de Balboa

• Juan Ponce de León

What was the encomienda system?

• A military alliance with native tribes

• A religious conversion program

• A reward system granting land and labor rights to conquistadors

• A system of trade between Europe and the New World

Who were the peninsularies in the Spanish colonial class system?

• Europeans born on the Iberian Peninsula

• People of mixed European and native descent

• Europeans born in the New World

• Native Americans

What distinguished creoles from peninsularies in the Spanish colonial class system?

• Creoles were native to the Iberian Peninsula

• Creoles were born in the New World

• Creoles were primarily African slaves

• Creoles were of mixed descent

Which group was at the bottom of the Spanish colonial class system?

• Native Americans

• Creoles

• Mestizos

• African slaves

What was the role of the Catholic Church in the Spanish colonies?

• To govern the colonies

• To establish trade routes

• To advocate for the rights of native Americans

• To lead military conquests