<span>Vasco
Nunez de Balboa, a Spanish conquistador of the 16th century is recognized
for his expeditions into the New World for the empire of Spain. He became so
powerful and influential following his many conquests that a rival Pedro Arias
Davila, serving as a Spanish governor had him executed on false charges of
treason. As a result of Balboa's conquests, specifically claiming the Pacific
Ocean for Spain, allowed for expansion, conquest, and colonization of the New
World. </span>
