+
Website
PBS

Pbs: Conquistadors: Franciso Pizarro

For Students 9th - 10th
Use the navigation at the left to click into more information on the Incas and the Spanish conquest by Francisco Pizarro.
+
Website
Other

Sjc:the Spanish Re Conquest of New Mexico and the Pueblo Revolt of 1696

For Students 9th - 10th
Read the description of the Spanish re-conquest of its holdings in New Mexico following the Revolt of 1680 in which the Pueblo Indians force the Spanish out of their territory.
+
Handout
San Jose State University

San Jose State University: Conquest of the Cities of Gold: Europe's Interactions

For Students 6th - 8th
The arrival of Hernan Cortez in Mexico, his encounters with the Aztec ruler Montezuma II and the Spanish defeat of the Aztecs are described.
+
Website
Other

The Conquest of North America by Hernando De Soto, Coronado and Cabeza De Vaca

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes the conquest of North America in the 1500s by the explorers Hernando de Soto, Vasquez de Coronado, and Cabeza de Vaca. The text has many embedded links to maps showing the routes they traveled as well as to additional information.
+
Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs: The Conquistadors

For Students 9th - 10th
A huge website that provides a virtual field trip exploring the Spanish adventurers who quested for gold and land in the New World. The site has information on Pizarro, Orellana, Cabeza de Vaca, Cortes as well as extensive information...
+
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Moctezuma Ii

For Students 9th - 10th
Under Moctezuma, the Aztec empire was strong and expanded its borders. However, when the Spanish arrived, their superior power and weapons enabled them to conquer the Aztecs. Read about Moctezuma's life, his interactions with the Spanish...
+
Website
Other

Language Crossing: History of Peru

For Students 9th - 10th
Offers a brief summary of the history of Peru starting with the Pre-Conquest, going through the Spanish Conquest and Independence and ending with modern times.
+
Unknown Type
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Us History: 1491 1607: Quiz 2

For Students 9th - 10th
A quick, five question quiz over the Columbian Exchange, Spanish conquest, and the Spanish Colonial system.
+
Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs: Hernan Cortes and the Fall of the Aztec Empire

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the fall of the Aztec Empire. You can use the navigation tool at the left to click into more information on the Aztecs and the Spanish conquest of Cortes. Uses popups.
+
Handout
PBS

Pbs: The Conquistadors: Aztec Life and Times

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about what life was like for the Aztecs before the Spanish Conquest. This is part of a larger PBS site about the conquistadors.
+
Handout
BBC

Bbc: History: The Story of the Conquistadors

For Students 9th - 10th
A well known historian tells the story of the early Spanish explorers known as "conquistadors". He discusses their motivation, what effect they had on the native American societies and much more. Archived.
+
Website
University of Calgary

University of Calgary: Hernando Cortes Exploration

For Students 9th - 10th
This account of "The Conquest of the Aztec Empire" tells the story of Cortes' encounter with the Aztecs and the fall of the empire.
+
Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Bernardino De Sahagun and Collaborators, Florentine Codex

For Students 9th - 10th
The Florentine Codex contains an unparalleled wealth of information regarding the people and culture of central Mexico immediately preceding the Conquest and its discussion of the Conquest itself. View pictures and descriptions of the...
+
Primary
PBS

New Perspectives on the West: The Pueblo Revolt

For Students 9th - 10th
From the PBS series "The West," comes this letter from Don Antonio de Otermin, the governor of New Mexico during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. This unique first hand account does come with a certain amount of bias, as it was written by one...
+
Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Guaman Poma and the First New Chronicle and Good Government

For Students 9th - 10th
This letter written by Guaman Poma is the most famous manuscript from South America dated to this time period in part because it is so comprehensive and long, but also because of its many illustrations. View pictures of the illustrations...
+
Handout
Other

Traditions of Mexico: El Dia De Los Muertos

For Students 9th - 10th
The story of "El Dia de los Muertos" (The Day of the Dead) in Mexico, with emphasis on the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs, the blending of Spanish and native Mexican cultures, and even American influence upon this Mexican tradition.
+
Website
Mex Connect

Mexico's Colonial Era Part Ii: Religion and Society in New Spain

For Students 9th - 10th
This article examines religion in Mexico beginning with the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, and some of the changes since then.
+
Activity
Other

El Salvador: History

For Students 9th - 10th
This site deals with the general history of El Salvador. It includes information on El Salvador before the Spanish conquest, its independence, military rule, civilian rule, its civil war, and its progress since.
+
Handout
Other

Fundacion Puertorriquena De Las Humanidades: Encyclopedia of Puerto Rico

For Students 9th - 10th
The first online bilingual encyclopedia on Puerto Rico. A work in progress, current articles can be found on topics such as the Spanish conquest of the island and the historic architecture of Puerto Rico.
+
Handout
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools

Loon Lake Elementary School: Hernando De Soto

For Students 3rd - 5th
A biography of Hernando De Soto (1500?-1542), a Spanish explorer who led the first European expedition to reach the Mississippi River. His group arrived at the river in 1541 during a search for gold. De Soto also took part in the Spanish...
+
Unit Plan
The Newberry Library

The Aztecs and the Making of Colonial Mexico: Europeans Invade the Aztec Empire

For Students 9th - 10th
Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes invaded the Aztec empire in the 16th century. This conquest led to the colonization of Mexico. The Newberry Library provides an in depth look into this period of Mexican history through photos,...
+
Website
University of California

University of California at San Diego: Aztec Chronology

For Students 9th - 10th
An extremely detailed chronology of the Aztecs and their predecessors, stretching from 600 AD to 1521, their conquest by the Spaniards. Scroll to the end to find a genealogical chart of the Aztec royal house.
+
Website
Other

Language Crossing: History of Ecuador

For Students 9th - 10th
Offers a brief summary of the history of Ecuador starting with the Pre-Conquest, going through the Spanish Conquest,Independence and Gran Columbia and ending with modern times.
+
Website
University of Calgary

University of Calgary: Latin America & the Conquistadors

For Students 9th - 10th
Information about the way the Spanish conquistadors were able to conquer the indigenous people they met.