According to this excerpt from the text, which was the most significant factor in the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs and Incas? (1 point)
armor
disease
guns
horses
According to the excerpt provided, the most significant factor in the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs and Incas was disease.
The most significant factor in the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs and Incas, according to the given options, was disease.
To determine the most significant factor in the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs and Incas, we will examine each option mentioned in the question: armor, disease, guns, and horses. To do this, we need to analyze historical context and the impact each factor had on the conquest.
Armor: While armor played a role in protecting the Spanish conquistadors during battles, it was not the most significant factor in the conquest. The native populations did not have the same level of knowledge or resources in metalworking to develop comparable armor, but it alone was not decisive in the outcome.
Disease: Disease was indeed one of the most significant factors in the Spanish conquest. Europeans unknowingly brought diseases such as smallpox, measles, and influenza to the Americas. The indigenous populations had no prior exposure to these diseases, making them highly susceptible. The devastating impact of these diseases weakened and decimated Native American populations, making them more susceptible to Spanish conquest.
Guns: The introduction of gunpowder weapons, such as muskets and cannons, gave the Spanish a significant military advantage over the Aztecs and Incas who relied mostly on traditional weapons. Guns had a psychological impact on indigenous troops, but their impact alone was not as significant as disease in determining the outcome of the conquest.
Horses: The introduction of horses to the Americas by the Spanish was also a crucial factor. Horses provided increased mobility and tactical advantages during battles. They were a key factor in the Spanish military prowess and their ability to quickly traverse long distances. However, horses, like guns, were not as decisive as the effect of disease on the native populations.
In conclusion, while all the factors mentioned in the question played a role in the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs and Incas, the most significant factor was disease. The devastating impact of diseases brought by the Europeans, which the Native American populations had no immunity to, weakened and decimated the indigenous populations, making them more vulnerable to Spanish conquest.