Francisco Pizarro

The conquistador Francisco Pizarro was one of the most important figures of Spanish colonization. His subjugation of the Inca Empire allowed him to seize power in the capital, Cuzco, and establish a number of new towns on behalf of the Spanish Crown, bringing a huge amount of wealth to Spain and helping it to become one of the most powerful countries in the world in the 16^th century. The conquest of Peru also led to new geographical knowledge, but the expedition’s benefits came at an enormous human cost: many of Peru’s indigenous inhabitants died as a result of epidemics brought by the colonizers or were brutally killed at the hands of Pizarro and his men. In just 50 minutes, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the significant effects of Pizarro’s mission and his decisive impact on European history.

This straightforward and informative book provides a thorough discussion of the key moments in Pizarro’s career, including the Capitulación de Toledo and the murder of Atahualpa, the last Sapa Inca. It also features a full biography, a valuable introduction to the political, social and economic context and an evaluation of the impact of his actions, giving you all the essential information about this brutal conquistador.

About Francisco Pizarro

Francisco Pizarro was a fiercely ambitious and exceptionally cruel conquistador who used cunning and violence to overcome the leaders of the Inca Empire and his Spanish rivals for power. Along with his brothers, he ruled the new territories in South America and asserted Spanish control over the indigenous inhabitants. However, tensions between the various groups on the continent continued to simmer and Pizarro was murdered in 1541, bringing the era of the great conquistadors to an end.

This clear and accessible 41-page book is structured as follows:

• Introduction to Francisco Pizarro
• Biography of Francisco Pizarro
• Context
  • Rivalry surrounding the discovery of new worlds
  • First attempts and failures
• The conquest of Peru
  • Capitulación de Toledo (26 July 1529)
  • The result of fierce ambition
  • Pizarro against the Incas: from Cajamarca to an execution
  • The end of the conquest
• Impact of Pizarro’s actions
  • The Pizarros’ control: tension and greed
  • A violent death with decisive consequences
  • New world, new knowledge
• Summary