Conquest fits perfectly

            I agree with Brian, I believe that what the Spanish attempted was a conquest.  Conquest is often defined as the defeat or mastery over something else.  The Spaniards did just that; they defeated the Maya and Inca civilizations thru a mastery of skills and resources in which Restall names in the epilogue. They went with the intent of taking over the native’s life so that they could further advance their adventure and find resources for Spain.  They found interpreters and even had documents called “Requirements” to ensure that the natives would do as they say.  The Spaniards had no right to infringe on the native’s land and make such demands, but the Spaniards saw the Maya and Inca civilizations as uncivilized.  These views went to the Spaniards heads and made them believe that everything was rightfully theirs and their excuse was that “God” made it that way.  One other very important, but not planned, way the Spaniards achieved control over native civilizations was disease.  The impact of disease enabled Spaniards to sweep in and take control over dismantled cities.  The Spaniards immune systems gave them a “God” like appearance to the natives.  The natives were being wiped out and the ones that survived began to look to the Spaniards, who never seemed to die in their presence.

Restall wrote about “The Myth of Miscommunication” which in my opinion was to the advantage of the Spaniards.  The miscommunication with leaders gave them the opportunity to overthrow powerful leaders such as Montezuma and many others, and obtain the natives from the civilizations as their workers to provide for Spain.  Upon finishing Restall’s book the idea of colonizing was far from the Spaniards minds.   They were merely looking to seek wealth in far undiscovered lands.  Thus, the word “conquest” fits perfectly in describing what happened against the Maya and Inca civilizations.