Personal Background:

Francisco Pizarro was born in 1495 in Trujillo, Spain. He didn’t have much of an education, but wanted to be a conquestor. He was a member of the Ojeda expedition in 1500 to the Colombian coast and also sailed with B Balboa on his journey to the Pacific in 1513. He then settled in Panama.

Contact With The Indians:

In 1524, Pizarro lead an expedition down South America’s West coast in search of the legendary Inca wealth. But he didn’t find it. He started another one two years later in 1526. After many months of hardships Pizarro and his crew made it to Thumes on the Gulf of Guayaquil. They were greeted by an Incas Embassidor. They got to view the city and all it’s splendor. They saw a temple plated in gold, silver and gold trees and shrubs, and fruit trees decorated with previous jewels embated in them. This made the Spaniards very jealous and greedy. They decided to head to Spain to get the funds and supplies they would need to conquer the Incas.

Goals of The Explorer:

Francisco Pizarro’s own personal goals were to become wealth and to be known as great. He gained both of these in his lifetime and gained great happiness in the process.

Goals of The Major of Panama:

On Pizarro’s 1526 expedition, the Major of Panama gave him the money to go. The Major’s were to find the location, conquer the Inca’s, convert them to Christianity, and steal their wealth.

Goals of King Charles V of Spain:

King Charles V of Spain wanted Pizarro to conquer the Incas and claim Peru and it’s riches for Spain.

Ship and Supplies:

In 1531, Pizarro left Spain for Panama with 3 ships, 200 men, including 27 horsemen.

Hardships:

Pizarro and his men had many hardships such as the trip back to Peru, a few many minor battles with the Indians he encountered, and the battle in the square. That was the major battle that pretty much destroyed the Incas Empire. It was a treacherous battle that lasted half an hour. Over 4,000 Incas died.

Result:

The result of this expedition and the brutal battle in the conquering of Peru and claiming of it’s riches. Plus it opened South America’s west coast expedition.

Bibliography:

Class handouts. Friday, September 29, 2000
Britannica.com