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Conquistador - AP® US History Definition

Reviewed by: Zoe Wade

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What is a conquistador?

In College Board AP U.S. History, a conquistador was a Spanish soldier-explorer who played a key role in the conquest of the Americas during the 15th and 16th centuries. 

These men, motivated by wealth, glory, and the spread of Christianity, led expeditions into the Americas. Their actions resulted in the downfall of Indigenous empires such as the Aztec Empire (defeated by Hernán Cortés in 1521) and the Inca Empire (conquered by Francisco Pizarro in 1533).

A man dressed all in black with a white, ruffled collar and a black cap. He has a dark, short beard and is looking seriously to the left. He looks to be middle-aged as his face has wrinkles.
A portrait of Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés
A man dressed in armor with a red cape draped around his shoulders. He wears a black bowler hat with a white feather in it. He has a long, brown beard. He is looking seriously to his right.
A portrait of Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro

Conquistadors used advanced weaponry, horses, and alliances with local groups to overpower Indigenous civilizations in the Americas.

Conquistadors contributed to a vast Spanish territorial expansion. However, they also caused immense destruction, forced labor systems like the encomienda, and the spread of European diseases that devastated Indigenous populations.

Social hierarchy pyramid of colonial Latin America: From top to bottom: Peninsulares, Creoles, Mestizos, Indigenous Peoples, Enslaved persons.
The Spanish encomienda system in the New World

Conquistador Revision Resources to Ace Your Exams

Early Spanish & Portuguese Explorers | College Board AP® US History Study Guides 2023

Spanish Exploration & Conquest | College Board AP® US History Study Guides 2023

The Caste & Encomienda Systems | College Board AP® US History Study Guides 2023

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Zoe Wade

Reviewer: Zoe Wade

Expertise: History Content Creator

Zoe has worked in education for 10 years as a teaching assistant and a teacher. This has given her an in-depth perspective on how to support all learners to achieve to the best of their ability. She has been the Lead of Key Stage 4 History, showing her expertise in the Edexcel GCSE syllabus and how best to revise. Ever since she was a child, Zoe has been passionate about history. She believes now, more than ever, the study of history is vital to explaining the ever-changing world around us. Zoe’s focus is to create accessible content that breaks down key historical concepts and themes to achieve GCSE success.

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