Final answer:
De Soto and his men defeated American Indians often due to their steel armor, firearms, and use of horses and war dogs, rather than superiority in numbers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reasons why De Soto and his men were always able to defeat the American Indians in battle are multifaceted. Firstly, De Soto and his men possessed steel armor and weapons, which afforded them great protection and a critical edge in combat.
Secondly, they carried firearms and cannons, providing them with superior firepower compared to the indigenous weaponry. Thirdly, their use of horses and war dogs not only gave them speed and mobility but also an intimidating presence on the battlefield.
However, the suggestion that they always had the advantage in manpower is inaccurate, as in many instances, the indigenous forces outnumbered the Spanish.
Instead, the combination of European military technology, tactics, and the element of surprise typically played a much larger role in their successes.The reasons why De Soto and his men were always able to defeat the American Indians in battle were:
De Soto & his men had steel armor and weapons: The Spanish soldiers were protected by steel armor and wielded steel swords, giving them a significant advantage over the American Indians who fought with bows, arrows, and spears.
De Soto & his men carried firearms and cannons: The Spanish soldiers had firearms and cannons, which gave them a range and firepower advantage in battle.
De Soto & his men had horses & war dogs: The Spanish soldiers had horses and war dogs, allowing them to move quickly and effectively on the battlefield, while the American Indians did not have such resources.