History^405
EL DORADO
El Dorado means “the golden one” – it is the Spanish
name for a mythical land in South America, said to
be rich in gold beyond all dreams.
GOLDEN TREASURE 3
Conquistadors looted
precious gold statues and
ornaments from temples and
palaces all over Central and South
America. Many were melted down
and shipped back to Spain.WHY DID THE CONQUISTADORS SEEK EL DORADO?
Conquistadors were often brave, but they were also
quarrelsome and violent, driven by a desperate lust
for gold and power. Many died in remote jungles, still
vainly searching for the riches of El Dorado.
HOW DID THE CONQUISTADORS
DEFEAT SO MANY PEOPLE?
The conquistadors were few in number but they had
ships, horses, armour, and deadly firearms. In Mexico
they increased their numbers by joining up with
native peoples rebelling against Aztec rule.
FIND OUT MORE. Aztecs 403 • Incas 402
The Aztecs had no
effective defence
against steel swords
and firearmsOrnamental tweezers,
made in Peru by a
Moche goldsmithConquistadors
In the 16th century, Central and
South America were invaded by
Spanish soldiers called conquistadors,
who overthrew the Aztec and Inca
empires. Many went in search of a
rich land called. EL DORADO.
WHO WAS THE GOD FROM THE SEA?
In 1517, Aztec spies saw conquistadors on the coast
and relayed news of these pale, bearded strangers to
Emperor Moctezuma II. He believed that their arrival
marked the return of a long-departed god and king
called Quetzalcoatl.
1 SPANISH HELMET
Conquistadors were protected from the spears and clubs of
native warriors by tough steel helmets and breastplates.TERROR UNLEASHED 3
In 1520, Pedro de Alvarado was
left in charge of Tenochtitlán.
His brutality caused an
uprising. The Spanish
fled, but recaptured
the city in 1521.WHO KILLED THE INCA EMPEROR?
In 1532, a band of conquistadors led by Francisco
Pizarro met the Inca emperor Atahualpa. They tricked
him into being captured and demanded a vast ransom
of silver and gold for his release. It was paid, but in
1533 they executed him anyway.HERNÁN CORTÉS
1485–1547
Cortés was born in Spain. In
1518 he was given command
of a force of 550 soldiers. He
landed in Mexico, and reached
the Aztec capital in 1519. He
was greeted peacefully, but
soon there was bitter fighting.
In 1521 Cortés destroyed the
city and in 1522 became
governor of this newly
conquered land for Spain.conquistadors