Curated OER
Values and Beliefs of Manifest Destiny
Fourth graders examine the beliefs of Manifest Destiny and its role in the California Gold Rush. They analyze a painting to gather information about Manifest Destiny.
Curated OER
1986 Capsule: Hispanic Influence in the New World
Students research the conditions in Spain during the 15th and 16th centuries. In groups, they write a paper on the information they gathered during their research and why the situation is unique to Spain. As a class, they discuss the...
Curated OER
Chapters 14 & 15 – Age of Exploration
For this U.S. history worksheet, students read assigned textbook pages regarding the Age of Exploration and respond to 49 short answer questions.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1491 1607: Spanish Conquistadores and Colonial Empire
The Spanish gained an early foothold in the colonies, quickly becoming the most powerful European power in the New World.
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.
PBS
Pbs: The Conquistadors
A huge website that provides a virtual field trip exploring the Spanish adventurers who quested for gold and land in the New World. The site has information on Pizarro, Orellana, Cabeza de Vaca, Cortes as well as extensive information...
Ducksters
Ducksters: Explorers for Kids: Spanish Conquistadors
Investigate the life of Spanish Conquistadors on this website.
Bullock Texas State History Museum
Bullock Museum: Conquistadors
Immerse in the campfire stories of the people who defined Texas. Read about the Spanish soldier-explorers who came to Texas in search of gold and glory.
BBC
Bbc: History: The Story of the Conquistadors
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.
Other
American Journeys: Map of the Spanish Entrada Into North America [Pdf]
Map showing the routes taken by fourteen Spanish explorers in the Americas between 1509 and 1543.
University of Calgary
University of Calgary: Latin America & the Conquistadors
Information about the way the Spanish conquistadors were able to conquer the indigenous people they met.
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...
PBS
Pbs: The Conquistadors: Beginning of the End of the Inca Empire
A look at the Inca Empire as rumors began to fly about pale strangers arriving on the coast. Read about the illnesses and civil wars that weakened the empire just in time for the appearance of the conquistadors. Be sure to click on the...
Soylent Communications
Notable Names Database|nndb: Vasco Nunez De Balboa
A brief biography of one of the successful Spanish conquistadors, Vasco Nunez de Balboa. He is recognized for his discovery of the Pacific Ocean and land in the Americas.
PBS
Pbs: Conquistadors: Cabeza De Vaca
Click on "The Marvelous Adventure" to follow Cabeza de Vaca's several year journey through the Southeast and Texas. Part of a larger site on the Spanish conquest of the Western world, these pages focus on Cabeza de Vaca. Includes de...
PBS
Pbs: Conquistadors: Franciso Pizarro
Use the navigation at the left to click into more information on the Incas and the Spanish conquest by Francisco Pizarro.
Library of Congress
Loc: Teaching With Primary Sources: Hispanic Exploration in America [Pdf]
This is a great lesson plan from the Library of Congress that shows how to use primary sources in the examination of the Spanish Conquistadors in America. The lesson offers many possible activities for students to use with the primary...
Library of Congress
Loc: Parallel Histories: Exploration and Early Settlement
Read about the Spanish conquistadors who explored what was to become Spanish America. Included are links to digital collections from the Library of Congress and the National Library of Spain.
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,...
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.
Study Languages
Study Spanish: Los Conquistadores
This resource on Spanish conquistadors focuses on Cortes, Alvarado and Pizarro. Additional links are provided for more information on this topic. Great reading selection for beginning and intermediate Spanish students.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: The Spanish, American Beginnings: 1492 1690
Two maps and four accounts of the Spanish exploration of North America that reflect the goals of the conquistadors and fascination with the land they examined-and the brutality of their treatment of native peoples.
Other
Spanish Explorers of Texas: Alonzo Alvarez De Pineda
A short biography of the Spanish explorer, Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda.
University of South Florida
Floripedia: A Florida Encyclopedia: De Narvaez, Panfilo
Information about the Spanish conquistador, Panfilo de Narvaez, taken from a 1904 book, A History of Florida. The page includes some recall questions interspersed with the original text.