The Newberry Library
The Aztecs and the Making of Colonial Mexico: Europeans Invade the Aztec Empire
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,...
Curated OER
History Matters: "All Over the Land Nothing Else Was Spoken Of"
History Matters provides this fascinating account from Spanish conqquistador, Cabeza de Vaca, about his encounters with the varous Native Americans in the Southwest who came to him for medical attention.
PBS
Pbs: Hernan Cortes and the Fall of the Aztec Empire
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.
The History Cat
The History Cat: Rise and Fall of the Incan Empire
Describes the achievements and sophistication of the Incan Empire prior to being conquered by the Spaniards under Francisco Pizarro. Pizarro had their emperor, Atahualpa, executed after keeping him captive for months while the Inca gave...
Other
Spanish Conquistadors
Learn about the history and motives of the famous Spanish Conquistadors in the New World. Features biographies, pictures, and timelines about the life of the famous European Explorers.
Time
Time: The Online Conquistador
Ruben "El Rubius" Doblas Gundersen is a Spanish speaking vlogger and one of the most popular on YouTube. Find out what he does and how he became so famous.
Other
Spain's Empire in the Americas [Ppt]
A brief slideshow that presents key ideas about the Spanish Empire in the Americas. Students must then answer four questions in an assessment.
University of Calgary
The Conquest of the Inca Empire: Francisco Pizarro
This historical note on the conquest of the Inca Empire by Francisco Pizarro is illustrated and linked to continuing discussion about the age of exploration.
San Jose State University
San Jose State University: Conquest of the Cities of Gold: Europe's Interactions
The arrival of Hernan Cortez in Mexico, his encounters with the Aztec ruler Montezuma II and the Spanish defeat of the Aztecs are described.
The History Cat
The History Cat: Age of Exploration: The Spanish Conquest of Mexico
Lengthy description of the life of Hernan Cortes, the Spanish conquistador who brought down the Aztec Empire in Mexico. How this came to be is explained, with many details of the sophistication of Aztec civilization.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Explorers for Kids: Spanish Conquistadors
Investigate the life of Spanish Conquistadors on this website.
Other
Incas & Conquistadors
Site giving links to information on some of the more infamous conquistadors who conquered the Inca.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Land of the Brave: Juan Ponce De Leon Facts
Covers the life of Ponce de Leon, a Spanish explorer known for leading the first official European expedition to Florida in 1513.
Other
New Mexico Genealogical Society: Early Spanish Exploration of the Southwest
This site describes the early Spanish exploration and beginning of colonization in what we know today as New Mexico.
Other
The Conquest of North America by Hernando De Soto, Coronado and Cabeza De Vaca
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.
Mocomi & Anibrain Digital Technologies
Mocomi: Sir Dig a Lot: The Inca Empire: Facts and History
Take a tour with Sir Dig-a-Lot as he explains some of the history of the Inca Empire.
PBS
Pbs the West: Alvar Nunez Cabeza De Vaca
A biography of this Spanish explorer who was born in 1490. Click on "route" for a map of his travels, and click on "account" for a translation of his published account of his experiences.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Land of the Brave: Hernando Cortes Facts
Interesting biographical facts on the life of Hernando Cortes, the man who conquered the Aztec empire.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: An Aztec Account of the Spanish Conquest
Fordham University provides an excerpt of an Aztec account of the initial encounter of Montezuma and the Spanish conquistador Hernando Cortes, as published by noted anthropologist Miguel Leon-Portilla. The meeting-turned-massacre,...
Texas State Historical Association
Texas State Historical Association: Alvarez De Pineda, Alonso
An account of the Spanish expedition led by Alonso Alvarez de Pineda in 1519 that explored the Gulf of Mexico between Florida and Cabo Rojo, Mexico. The explorers tried to establish the Panuco colony but were unsuccessful.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Moctezuma Ii
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...
Stanford University
Stanford History Education Group: Moctezuma and Cortes
[Free Registration/Login Required] Lesson in which students examine 13th Century primary source material of historical record to determine what the encounter between Moctezuma and Cortes might have really been like. With downloadable...
Mariners' Museum and Park
Mariners' Museum: Francisco Pizarro
A not-so-nice, yet successful Spanish explorer, Francisco Pizarro is featured in a biography for conquering Peru and working his way up the Pacific coast to discover land in Central America. Check out his route and details of his...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Cabeza De Vaca
Explorer Cabeza de Vaca is considered the first true Chicano writer, having been born in Spain and then absorbed into the Native American culture, highlighting this new culture in his writings. Click on "Cabeza de Vaca Activities" for...