Spanish Conquest

Definition

The Spanish conquest refers to the military campaigns and subsequent colonization of the Americas by Spain during the 15th and 16th centuries. It led to the downfall of many indigenous civilizations, including the Inca Empire.

Related terms

Hernán Cortés: Hernán Cortés was a Spanish conquistador who famously conquered the Aztec Empire in present-day Mexico.

Francisco Pizarro: Francisco Pizarro was another Spanish conquistador who led expeditions that resulted in the fall of the Inca Empire.

Encomienda System: The encomienda system was a labor system introduced by Spain in its American colonies, where natives were forced to work for Spanish colonists.