1. Technological Advancements: The Spanish possessed advanced weaponry, such as guns, cannons, and steel swords, giving them a significant advantage over the Aztec and Incan people who primarily fought with wooden weapons and stone tools.
2. Disease and Immunity: The arrival of the Spanish brought diseases like smallpox, measles, and influenza, for which the Native American populations had no immunity. These diseases devastated the Aztec and Incan people, significantly weakening their military forces.
3. Division and Alliance: The Spanish successfully exploited the rivalries and internal divisions among different Aztec and Incan groups, gaining support from those who were opposed to the respective empires.
4. Superior Tactics and Strategy: The Spanish employed strategic military tactics and formations, such as the use of cavalry, enabling them to outmaneuver and overpower the Aztec and Incan armies.
5. Religious Conversion: The Spanish utilized their religion as a tool of conquest. They attempted to convert the native populations to Christianity, gaining support from some indigenous groups who saw an alliance with the Spanish as an opportunity for protection and survival.