Explore the origins of Canada and the United States as Jamestown, Quebec, and Santa Fe celebrate their 400th anniversary.

The history of Spanish territorial conquest in the New World is the history of the succession of conquistadors who often overwhelmed native empires, but were sometimes overwhelmed themselves. Read about the conquistadors who came to the...

Links to embedded videos and other information about World History: 1450 - 1750 Renaissance and Reformation including the The Protestant Reformation, Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment, Spanish and Portuguese Empires, Mughal rule in...

This account of "The Conquest of the Aztec Empire" tells the story of Cortes' encounter with the Aztecs and the fall of the empire.

This resource provides the chronology of the rise and fall of the Spanish Empire.

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.

This site introduces ideas about how the English became a naval power and competed with the Spanish in settling the New World.

Fascinating and comprehensive look at the indigenous culture of Otavalo, Ecuador. Excellent photographs accompany this cultural treatise that examines the history, industry, and tourism of Otavalo. Additional links access more specific...

A Spanish Franciscan and a French Jesuit report on the reciprocal relationship between natives and Catholic missionaries as Europeans settled New France and New Spain.

A great map showing the explorations of Spanish, French, and English explorers in North America between 1530 and 1675. A detailed key identifies each explorer and route. From the Perry-Castaneda Collection

Four original source accounts, and four related maps, of successful English, French, and Spanish settlements in North America and the Caribbean that explain the qualities of these settlements and their reasons for permanence and prosperity.

Four accounts of the visits to and growth of colonial cities in Spanish, British, and French New World settlements that demonstrate why certain communities developed successfully.

Two eighteenth-century maps and four accounts of the mutual perceptions, suspicions, and observations between Spanish and French explorers on the Gulf Coast.

Three documents reflecting official views of how to rule and regulate a successful colony in New France, Jamaica, and the Spanish Indies. Includes teacher reasources for framing discussion.

During European colonization, how did the French, Spanish, and Dutch view the Native Americans and how did their interaction differ? What affect did their interaction have on colonization?

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...

Interesting biographical facts on the life of Hernando Cortes, the man who conquered the Aztec empire.

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.

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.

A map of Lake Texcoco, showing the Aztec centers in the region at the time of the Spanish conquistadors. The entry route of Cortes into the city of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital, is designated along with causeways into the city. A few...

A short description of the missionary work of Fray Alonzo Benavides is presented. Please note that ?The Catholic Encyclopedia? is a historic reference source and should be viewed in the context of resource material dated around 1910.

This website provides information about Spain's economic, political and military decline during the 17th century. The site discusses Philip III & IV, the plague, Count de Olivares, and the rapid losses of the military.

A political cartoon depicting a Union and a Confederate veteran united in support for the Spanish-American War. A painting entitled Twelve-Inch Gun depicting elegant officers and ladies aboard a battle ship, civilizing gentility and the...

This article examines religion in Mexico beginning with the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, and some of the changes since then.