according to this writer was the most significant factor in the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs and incas

1 answer

The most significant factors in the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs and Incas often highlighted by historians and writers include:

  1. Technology and Weaponry: The Spaniards had advanced weaponry, including firearms, cannons, and steel swords, which gave them a significant edge in battle.

  2. Alliances with Indigenous Peoples: The Spanish were able to form alliances with various Indigenous groups who were enemies of the Aztecs and Incas, allowing them to gather additional forces.

  3. Diseases: European diseases such as smallpox devastated Indigenous populations, significantly weakening them and leading to a loss of manpower and morale.

  4. Leadership and Strategy: The strategic military tactics employed by leaders like Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro played a crucial role in conquering these vast empires.

  5. Religious Factors: The Spaniards often framed their conquest in terms of a religious mission, seeing themselves as agents of conversion to Christianity, which could also be a motivating factor for their actions.

If you have a specific writer or work in mind, please provide that context so I can give a more precise answer reflecting their views.