🌍ap world history: modern review

key term - Francisco Pizarro

Definition

Francisco Pizarro was a Spanish conquistador known for his role in the conquest of the Inca Empire in the early 16th century. His actions led to the establishment of Spanish colonial rule in present-day Peru, significantly impacting maritime empires and their expansion in the Americas. Pizarro's expeditions exemplified the themes of exploration, conquest, and the establishment of European dominance in the New World.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Pizarro made his first voyage to South America in 1524 but faced difficulties until he successfully conquered the Inca Empire in 1532.
  2. He captured Inca Emperor Atahualpa during a surprise attack, which led to the collapse of Inca resistance against Spanish forces.
  3. Pizarro founded Lima, the capital of Peru, in 1535, which became a major center of Spanish colonial power in South America.
  4. The wealth obtained from the conquest of the Inca Empire, particularly gold and silver, fueled further Spanish expeditions and colonization efforts in the Americas.
  5. Pizarro's actions had devastating effects on Indigenous populations, leading to significant demographic changes due to violence and diseases introduced by Europeans.

Review Questions

  • How did Francisco Pizarro's conquests impact the political landscape of South America during the early 16th century?
    • Pizarro's conquests drastically altered the political landscape of South America by dismantling the centralized authority of the Inca Empire. After capturing Emperor Atahualpa, he effectively disrupted Inca governance, leading to a power vacuum that facilitated Spanish colonial rule. The establishment of Spanish control allowed for further expeditions and conquests across South America, which contributed to broader European domination in the New World.
  • Evaluate the methods used by Francisco Pizarro during his conquest of the Inca Empire and their implications for Indigenous populations.
    • Pizarro utilized surprise attacks, strategic alliances with rival Indigenous groups, and superior military technology to conquer the Inca Empire. His method of capturing Atahualpa exemplified a brutal strategy that relied on deception and violence. The implications for Indigenous populations were severe; not only did they face military defeat, but they also suffered from disease outbreaks brought by Europeans and a loss of autonomy under Spanish rule.
  • Analyze how Francisco Pizarro's actions reflect broader trends in maritime empires established during the Age of Exploration.
    • Pizarro's conquests illustrate broader trends of maritime empires characterized by aggressive expansion, exploitation of resources, and imposition of European culture on Indigenous societies. His capture of vast wealth from the Inca Empire exemplifies how European powers sought to enrich themselves through colonization. Additionally, Pizarro's actions led to significant demographic shifts as Indigenous populations declined due to violence and disease, paralleling similar patterns seen across other maritime empires as they established dominance in various regions.