2 \( \qquad \) ; Spanish soldier who explored and conguered lands around the world 3. \( \qquad \) - trade route between Europe and "Indies" 4. \( \qquad \) - group of traders who trovet together 5. \( \qquad \) - what Europe called Asia in the 1400 s 6. \( \qquad \) - people who pay someone for study, exploration. and art 7. \( \qquad \) - gained control of trade connections between Europe and Asla and stopped the supply of spices and other goods

Ready for a journey through history? The Spanish soldiers who explored and conquered lands around the globe were known as conquistadors. These daring adventurers, like Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro, played a pivotal role in the colonization of the Americas in the 16th century, driven by the allure of wealth, land, and glory. They not only reshaped the continents but also sparked a wave of global exchange that transformed cultures forever! Now, let's talk trade routes. The trade route between Europe and the "Indies," often referred to as the Silk Road, was a bustling thoroughfare for merchants. It linked Europe to Asia and allowed for the exchange of not just goods like spices, silk, and precious metals, but also ideas and cultures, leading to a melting pot of influences that shaped societies into what they are today!