Travel back in time to Mexico and Peru to meet the Aztecs and the Inca. This video focuses on the motivation of Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro, two Spanish conquistadors. Students learn about the rise and fall of the Aztecs and the Inca in their struggle against European explorers. Segments include:

The Aztecs — It was an empire built on religion and gold, spanning 200,000 miles of Central America. But with a combination of luck, disease, and fortitude, one Spanish conqueror brought down the Aztec Empire. Learn how Hernán Cortés spent three months destroying what it took the Aztecs years to create.

Cortés and the Quest for Glory — Discover how one man's ruthless pursuit of fame and fortune led to the collapse of a powerful empire. Watch as Cortés makes his motto, "Conquer or die," the only law of the land.

Pizarro in the Empire of Gold — How did the greatest civilization on Earth fall to ruin? Behind the sophisticated roads, the thriving economy, and the system of communication, the Inca were suffering from civil war. Their political upheaval opened the gate for Francisco Pizarro, an illiterate Spanish soldier, and his minuscule army to conquer the Inca Empire.

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