Francisco Pizarro (* around 1475 in Trujillo, Extremadura, Spain; † June 26, 1541 in Lima, Peru) was a Spanish conquistador and one of the main actors in the conquest of the Inca Empire in Peru. His name is closely linked to the colonization of South America and his expeditions had a far-reaching impact on the history and culture of the region. Pizarro founded the city of Lima, the capital of Peru, and played a crucial role in the expansion of the Spanish Empire in South America.
Early life and expeditions to America
Francisco Pizarro was born into humble circumstances in Trujillo, Spain and grew up in Extremadura. In 1502, he accompanied his half-brother Hernando de Soto to Hispaniola (now Haiti and the Dominican Republic) and took part in several expeditions to the New World. In 1513 he joined Vasco Núñez de Balboa's expedition and was one of the first Europeans to see the Pacific Ocean from the western side of the Americas.
Conquest of the Inca Empire
Pizarro returned to Spain and received royal permission to conquer Peru in 1528. Together with Diego de Almagro and Hernando de Luque, he founded an expedition to find the legendary gold empire of the Incas. In 1532, Pizarro landed with a small force at Tumbes on the coast of Peru and began his campaign to conquer the Inca Empire.
On November 15, 1532, Pizarro managed to capture the Inca ruler Atahualpa in the Battle of Cajamarca. Although a ransom of gold and silver was paid, Atahualpa was later executed and Pizarro seized control of Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire. In the following years, Pizarro and his men continued their campaigns of conquest and founded cities such as Lima and Trujillo.
Politics and administration
Pizarro was appointed governor of Peru and was instrumental in establishing Spanish rule in the region. He instituted an encomienda-like structure in which the indigenous population was forced into forced labor on Spanish plantations. These policies led to conflicts with other conquistadors and colonial administrators in the New World.
Later years and death
Francisco Pizarro remained a controversial figure in Peru until his death. In 1541 he was murdered by his opponents during an uprising in Lima. Despite his controversial legacy and violent methods, Pizarro remains a central figure in the history of Peru and South America, as his expeditions laid the foundation for the Spanish colonization of the region and forever changed the fate of the indigenous peoples of South America.
Heritage and significance
Francisco Pizarro is often seen as a symbol of the European conquest and colonization of the Americas. His expeditions and conquests marked the beginning of a new era for South America and left a legacy that continues to shape the region's culture, languages and societies today. Pizarro is celebrated by some as an explorer and conqueror, while others condemn him for his brutal oppression of indigenous peoples. In any case, Francisco Pizarro remains a controversial and significant figure in New World history.
