How did Spain gain control of Mexico and Peru?

Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés landed on the coast of Mexico in 1519 with 600 men and 16 horses. He quickly made alliances with the native people who were unhappy with the rule of the Aztec Empire. With their help, Cortés was able to defeat the Aztecs and conquer Mexico City in 1521.

Peru

Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro landed on the coast of Peru in 1532 with a force of just over 100 men. He forged an alliance with the Inca Empire's enemies and was able to capture Inca emperor Atahualpa in 1533. Pizarro then ransomed Atahualpa for a room full of gold and silver, but he later had him executed. The Spanish then went on to conquer the rest of the Inca Empire.

Reasons for Spanish success

There are a number of reasons why the Spanish were successful in conquering Mexico and Peru.

* Military superiority. The Spanish had superior weapons and armor, as well as horses, which gave them a significant advantage over the native people.

* Political instability. Both the Aztec and Inca Empires were facing internal political instability at the time of the Spanish invasions. This made it easier for the Spanish to find allies among the native people who were unhappy with the ruling regime.

* Native diseases. The Spanish brought diseases such as smallpox and measles to the Americas, which decimated the native population and weakened their resistance to the Spanish invaders.

The Spanish conquest of Mexico and Peru had a profound impact on the history of the Americas. It led to the establishment of Spanish colonial rule in the region, which lasted for over 300 years. It also led to the introduction of European culture, language, and religion to the Americas.