This detailed study is the only reference work of its kind to address Spain's conquest of Central and South America, providing in-depth coverage of native and European ideologies, political motivations, and cultural practices of the region. As the study of world history evolves from a Eurocentric perspective to a more global viewpoint, formerly marginalized groups are now the focus of discussion, revealing a background rich with important military, political, social, and economic achievements. This book examines the once prosperous and powerful native civilizations in Central and South America, discussing the key individuals, strategies, and politics that made these countries strong and indomitable. In spite of this, the author shows how, in only a few generations, Spain defeated these mini-empires, eventually dominating much of the Western Hemisphere. Conflict in the Early Americas: An Encyclopedia of the Spanish Empire's Aztec, Incan, and Mayan Conquests focuses primarily on the defeat of the Aztec, Incan, and Mayan civilizations, but also includes Spanish interactions with lesser-known native groups. Supporting documents including primary sources, maps, and visual aids provide necessary context to this once-untold story.

Through its coverage of 19 epidemics associated with a broad range of wars, and blending medical knowledge, demographics, geographic, and medical information with historical and military insights, this book reveals the complex relationship between epidemics and wars throughout history. How did small pox have a tremendous effect on two distinct periods of war-one in which the disease devastated entire native armies and leadership, and the other in which technological advancements and the application of medical knowledge concerning the disease preserved an army and as a result changed the course of events? Epidemics and War: The Impact of Disease on Major Conflicts in History examines fascinating historical questions like this and dozens more, exploring a plethora of communicable diseases-viral, fungal, and/or bacterial in nature-that spread and impacted wars or were spread by some aspect of mass human conflict. Written by historians, medical doctors, and people with military backgrounds, the book presents a variety of viewpoints and research approaches. Each chapter examines an epidemic in relation to a period of war, demonstrating how the two impacted each other and affected the populations involved directly and indirectly. Starting with three still unknown/unidentified epidemics (ranging from Classical Athens to the Battle of Bosworth in England), the book's chapters explore a plethora of diseases that spread through wars or significantly impacted wars. The book also examines how long-ended wars can play a role in the spread of epidemics a generation later, as seen in the 21st-century mumps epidemic in Bosnia, 15 to 20 years after the Bosnian conflicts of the 1990s. Provides readers with a broad understanding of the relationship between disease and epidemics and their impact upon (and by) wars Helps non-medical professionals grasp some of the important elements of specific epidemics-such as disease vectors and common factors assisting diffusion-through explanations in easily understood language Blends the perspective from humanistic and social science studies with critical information from science on topics that have continually impacted nations and societies over the ages Clarifies the confusing details of similar yet different diseases for readers without medical or scientific backgrounds