What advantage did the Spanish have over the Native Americans?

Answer 1

Gunpowder and steel were in part two of many advantages the Spanish explorers and conquistadors had over the Native Americans in the parts of the New World claimed by Spain. What follows are basically the same advantages all the European powers had over Native Americans in the entire New World.

Generally speaking, the advantages can be expressed in this manner:

* Europeans had the goal of domination and conquest, while the Native Americans were often naive and initially had no great fears for the Europeans;

* Based on yes, the power of muskets, canon, warships and a more advanced technology, the Europeans were able to conquer and subdue the Natives;

* The expansion of slavery in the New World allowed the Europeans to produce huge plantations without relying on the Native American population. Wealth was thus produced allowing for more incursions in the New World;

* Europeans, especially the Spanish, gave themselves the mission of bringing Christianity to the Americans. This agenda helped the Spanish to persevere in subduing the Natives; and

* The vast expansion of new European arrivals to the New World, soon gave their military power even more weight and influence.

Answer 2

Guns, mainly. And the element of surprise.

Answer 3

When the Spanish arrived in the Americas in the 1500's they had horses and weapons. The Native Americans had neither.

Answer 4

They were better armed, organized, and were trained soldiers.