Spanish Conquest & Exploration in North America in the 16th century

Illustration

Simeon Netchev
by
published on 02 August 2022
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Spanish Conquest & Exploration in North America in the 16th century Download Full Size Image

A map illustrating Spain’s drive to expand its empire following the 1492 Reconquista of the Iberian Peninsula and Columbus's discovery of America. Inspired by tales of land and instant riches, thousands flocked to the New World with hopes for wealth and status. The Spanish rapidly conquered territory (much of the lands they claimed remained unsettled for centuries,) overthrowing the Aztec and Inca Empires and, by the mid-sixteenth century, gaining control of most of Central and western South America, Mexico, and the southern half of the modern United States, from Florida to the Pacific Coast, in addition to solidifying earlier Caribbean conquests.

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About the Author

Simeon Netchev
Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history teacher passionate about the human stories behind past events. He believes every image should tell a story and spark interaction, while each map leads on a journey, blending imagination with education.

Cite This Work

APA Style

Netchev, S. (2022, August 02). Spanish Conquest & Exploration in North America in the 16th century. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/16218/spanish-conquest--exploration-in-north-america-in/

Chicago Style

Netchev, Simeon. "Spanish Conquest & Exploration in North America in the 16th century." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified August 02, 2022. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/16218/spanish-conquest--exploration-in-north-america-in/.

MLA Style

Netchev, Simeon. "Spanish Conquest & Exploration in North America in the 16th century." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 02 Aug 2022. Web. 11 Oct 2024.

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