Hispanic American History follows the timeline of this proud and ethnically diverse culture. This title introduces the conquistadors who explored and conquered the New World, from Columbus's discovery of the Americas for Spain to the fall of the Aztec and Inca civilizations. Included are short biographies of conquistadors Hernan Cortez, Francisco Pizarro, Vasco Nunez de Balboa, Francisco Pizarro, Juan Ponce de Leon, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, Hernando de Soto, and Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, as well as early civil rights champion Bartolome de la Casas. Why the conquistadors were successful - politics, weapons of war, and smallpox - is also discussed, as are their reasons for exploration, from gold to territorial claims, and the lasting legacy and mixing of cultures that resulted from their efforts. Abdo & Daughters is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.