USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The two most famous conquistadors were Hernán Cortés who conquered the Aztec Empire and Francisco Pizarro who led the conquest of the Inca Empire. They were second cousins born in Extremadura, where many of the Spanish conquerors were born.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Spanish Empire would expand across the Caribbean Islands, half of South America, almost all of Central America and most of North America.

Detailed explanation-3: -Although most of Latin America was colonized by Spain, the countries of Portugal and France also had major influences on the region. Due to war and disease, native populations were decimated.

Detailed explanation-4: -Hernando Cortés conquered the Aztecs of Mexico and their emperor Montezuma in 1521. Pedro de Alvarado triumphed over the remnants of the Mayan civilization in Guatemala and opened up the area to Spanish colonization. Francisco Pizarro marched into South America and defeated the Incas of Peru.

Detailed explanation-5: -Towards the end of the 15th century, a period of discovery and exploration began in Europe. In 1492, explorer Christopher Columbus discovered the islands now known as the Bahamas. This marked the beginning of the Spanish conquest of the Americas.