conquistadores
Armored New World invaders
Conquistadores is the Spanish plural of conquistador, meaning conquerors—specifically the Spanish soldiers and explorers who colonized much of the Americas in the sixteenth century.
Cortés in Mexico and Pizarro in Peru are the most famous.
The term carries connotations of military conquest, colonial exploitation, and the destruction of indigenous civilizations: The conquistadores brought disease and slavery along with Christianity.
Organized exploratory journey
- voyageJourney by sea
- discoveryAct of finding something
- navigationDetermining position and course
- cartographyCreating geographic representations
pioneers · sailing · mariners · seafarers · caravel · galleon · astrolabe · compass
Foreign territorial takeover
- imperialismExtending dominion over others
- settlementsEstablished communities or agreements
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- missionariesReligious workers abroad
haciendas · plantations · governance · assimilation · mercantilism · viceroy · crown · encomienda
Forcible entry into territory
- subjugationForcing into submission
- dominationSupreme authority held
- victoryDefeating an opponent
- occupationOne's regular paid work
campaign · vanquish · subdue · plunder · annexation · siege · cavalry · infantry
expedition
Organized exploratory journey
- voyageJourney by sea
- discoveryAct of finding something
- navigationDetermining position and course
cartography · pioneers · sailing · mariners · seafarers · caravel · galleon · astrolabe · compass · latitude
colonization
Foreign territorial takeover
- imperialismExtending dominion over others
- settlementsEstablished communities or agreements
- exploitationSelfish use of others
missionaries · haciendas · plantations · governance · assimilation · mercantilism · viceroy · crown · encomienda · forced labor
invasion
Forcible entry into territory
- subjugationForcing into submission
- dominationSupreme authority held
- victoryDefeating an opponent
occupation · campaign · vanquish · subdue · plunder · annexation · siege · cavalry · infantry · muskets
Cortés
Spanish conqueror of Mexico
- PizarroConquistador of Peru
- AztecsPre-Columbian Mexican empire
- IncasPre-Columbian Peruvian civilization
Montezuma · Cuzco · Balboa · Alvarado · 16th century · gold · silver · smallpox · epidemics · Old World
audacious
Recklessly or disrespectfully fearless
zealous · opportunistic · daring · bold · relentless · brutal · cunning · devout · mercenary · adventurers
conquistadoresindigenous peoples
Original inhabitants of lands
native populations · Aztecs · Incas · Mayans · colonized
conquistadoresdefenders
Those who shield others
resistance fighters · freedom fighters · liberators · Tecumseh · rebels