Conquistadors: The Rise and Fall
Popular culture has painted the Conquistadors as brave Christian pioneers, but a shifting narrative has revealed a darker story to their rise and fall.
Director: James Woolley
A New World
The accidental discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus sparked an age of exploration for the Spanish Empire - and a dark new chapter in the history of the…
The Caribbean Conquest
Columbus' return voyage to the Americas began with bloodshed when he discovered that the Spanish left behind at Hispaniola were killed by the indigenous Taíno.
The Aztec Conquest
The ruthlessly ambitious Hernán Cortés travels deep into the Mexican interior to conquer the Aztecs, one of the greatest empires in the Americas.
The Inca Conquest
Following the success of Hernán Cortés over the Aztecs, conquistador Francisco Pizarro sets his sights on conquering the Incas, the largest civilisation in the Americas.
The Growth of the Colonies
Spanish colonies have grown throughout the Americas after decades of conquests, but the Spanish monarchy struggles to control the guardians of 'New Spain' from afar.
The Black Legend
Disdain for Spain's wealth in the Americas leads to other European rulers propagating an anti-Spanish narrative; the 'Black Legend' is born and heralds the end of the era of conquistadors.
