Pizarro’s loyalty to the governor paid off for him. He was given an estate and for a time was made the mayor of Panama City. During this time Pizarro became a wealthy man. In Panama, Pizarro heard tales of the fabulous wealth of a great empire in lands south of Panama. In 1524, Pizarro led an expedition of 80 men and 40 horses to find this land in South America and to capture the wealth of its empire. Pizarro and his conquistadors sailed down the Pacific Coast but could get no further than Columbia. The expedition was plagued by bad weather, lack of food, and fights with local natives. Pizarro ultimately decided to return to Panama because

Pizarro led a second expedition into South America in 1526. This time he brought 160 men and two ships. Again, the expedition faced hardships as it moved through Columbia. One of Pizarro’s ships captured a raft that had, among other things, gold, silver, and emeralds on it. Excited by this discovery, Pizarro sent back to Panama a request for more man and additional supplies. The expedition received 80 more men and additional supplies from Panama. When Pizarro’s expedition faced hostile natives again it was decided

The new governor of Panama refused Pizarro’s request for more reinforcements. In addition, he ordered Pizarro’s expedition to return to Panama. Pizarro responded by:

Only 13 men chose to stay with Pizarro and move forward. Pizarro and men made a crude boat and continued on. Seven months later the governor changed his mind and allowed a ship and reinforcements to be sent to Pizarro. They were given six months and then ordered to return to Panama. With fresh supplies and men, Pizarro reached northwestern Peru in April of 1528. He established friendly relations with the natives who called the Spaniards “Children of the Sun” because of their fair complexions and shiny armor. There Pizarro got his first real glimpse of the fabulous wealth of the Incan Empire. He got reports of even greater riches ahead. Pizarro decided to

When Pizarro returned to Panama the governor refused his request for a third expedition. Pizarro decided to sail to Spain and appeal directly to King Charles I. In the spring of 1528 Pizarro sailed to Spain bringing with him gold, silver, fabrics, and even some llama to show the king what had been discovered. After meeting with Pizarro, King Charles I decided to:

On December 27, 1530, Pizarro left Panama on his third and final expedition. He had 180 men, 27 horses, and three ships. While on the expedition, Pizarro was joined by Hernando De Soto who brought with him 100 more men and additional horses. De Soto will later be the first European to cross the Mississippi River. Pizarro met fierce native opposition as his expedition moved forward. Despite that, Pizarro continued to lead his men further into the interior of Peru. In May of 1532 he established the first European settlement in Peru. In September, Pizarro leaves 50 men to protect the settlement and takes 200 men with him to continue his goal of conquest. De Soto was sent to meet with the Incas at Caxas. He returns one week later with a representative of the Sapa Inca (sovereign emperor) Atahualpa. The emperor’s representative brings gifts and tells Pizarro:

Pizarro and 200 of his men travel to Cajamarca on November 15, 1532. On the next day Pizarro and De Soto meet with Atahualpa. Pizarro strategically places his men within the city to await his orders. The Sapa Inca has 6,000 of his army with him as he meets with Pizarro, De Soto, and their translators. Atahualpa is told that he must convert to Christianity and pay tribute to King Charles I. Atahualpa refuses. Pizarro then

On his order, Pizarro’s men attack. The conquistadors fire at the Incan army while some of them charge on horseback. The Incas had never experienced gunfire before and became confused. The Incas in Cajamarca were only armed with knives. They had such a superiority in men that they did not come armed for battle. In the Plaza of Cajamarca, huge numbers of Incas were killed by the Spaniards. Pizarro and his men reach Atahualpa and:

With the Sapa Inca taken hostage and hearing of the massacre within the city, the Incan troops (who outnumber the Spaniards 45-1) outside the city are thrown into confusion and do not attack. Atahualpa is taken to a small building in Cajamarca to be held hostage. There he promises Pizarro that he will fill the building with gold and silver if Pizarro would set him free. The “Ransom Room” is filled with the gold and silver as Atahualpa promised. Atahualpa, doing as he promised, now demands to be set free. Pizarro and the Spaniards decide to