By the time Spain conquered the last Muslim stronghold in 1492, Spaniards had been at war for hundreds of years. Their people were not only skilled in battle, but they had developed a culture steeped in the beliefs of the crusades. They were adventurers, entrepreneurs, and warriors, shaped by centuries of conquest and strict religious faith.
The Spanish Empire, between 1492 and 1892, expanded across most of Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, and much of North America.
In class activities 1-28-14:
- Compared images of the crusades and the Spanish Conquest
- Discussed the reasons for Spain's culture of conquest
- Colored maps detailing the region of the Aztec, Inca, and Maya
- Worked on our Conquistador figures
- Built paper boats
Optional lesson extension activities:
- Crash Course history has a short video reviewing the Spanish Empire that I found really informative. Take a look!
- Check your library for The Spanish Conquest. Chapter 2 has some great information about the Spanish world.
Assignment:
- Using a dictionary, look up the word Conquistador. Write one sentence in your own words that starts with "The word Conquistador means..." (Parents, there will be weekly writing assignments that will progress from simple to more complex. If your child is unable to write the assignment on their own, feel free to act as their scribe. The point is to make them think, not to assess their handwriting. All assignments will be added to the students' history notebooks. Please make sure that your child has included their name.)
- Review your timeline
