which was the most significant factor in the spanish conquest of the aztecs and incas?

Armor••
Disease
Guns
Horses

The most significant factor in the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs and Incas was disease.

The most significant factor in the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs and Incas can be attributed to a combination of factors, including firearms, armor, diseases, and the use of horses. However, if we were to identify a single most significant factor, it would likely be diseases.

To understand why diseases were so significant, let's break down the factors involved in the Spanish conquest:

1. Armor: The Spanish conquistadors had the advantage of wearing steel armor, which provided them with better protection against the weapons of the Aztecs and Incas. This gave them a significant edge in close combat situations.

2. Guns: The Spanish also possessed advanced firearms, such as arquebuses and muskets. These weapons were far more superior to the weapons of the Native Americans, which mainly consisted of spears, clubs, and arrows. The Spanish firearms allowed them to engage in long-range combat with a greater firepower.

3. Horses: The Spanish introduced horses to the Americas, which played a crucial role in their military tactics. The indigenous people of the Americas had never encountered horses before and were both fascinated and terrified by them. The Spanish effectively used horses to their advantage, providing them with increased mobility and the ability to attack from new angles.

4. Disease: However, the most devastating factor was the introduction of diseases brought by the Spanish, to which the Native Americans had no immunity. Diseases such as smallpox, measles, and influenza, which were common in Europe, decimated the indigenous population. The Aztecs and Incas had large populations, but these diseases spread quickly and had a catastrophic effect on their societies, leaving them weakened and vulnerable to Spanish conquest.

So, while armor, guns, and horses played crucial roles in the Spanish conquest, the introduction of diseases and the subsequent devastating impact on the Aztec and Inca populations was the most significant factor. It weakened their societies, disrupted their leadership, and ultimately made it easier for the Spanish to conquer and colonize their territories.

I would claim horses. Try:

http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/theconquest/a/09armsconquest.htm