1496

The conquest of Tenerife and La Palma in 1496 marked the culmination of the process of incorporating the Canary Islands into the Kingdom of Castile, a process that began in 1402. The indigenous resistance, particularly in Tenerife, was notable, led by figures such as Bencomo and Tinguaro. However, after the decisive Battle of Aguere and the subsequent Battle of Acentejo, the Castilian forces, commanded by Alonso Fernández de Lugo, managed to subdue the Guanches. The incorporation of the islands not only expanded Castile's territorial domain but also facilitated control of maritime routes to the New World, making the Canaries a strategic point for colonial expansion. Additionally, the conquest brought profound changes to the social and economic structure of the islands, with the introduction of new agricultural practices, the Christianization of the population, and the integration of the islands into Atlantic trade.