Spanish in the Americas Chapter 2
Christopher Columbus Genoan sailor – trained at Sagres Point Received funding from Isabella & Ferdinand of Spain Reconquista “Enterprise of the Indies” 1492 – First Journey Samana Cay, Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola Tainos Indians
Taino Indians Gold Potential slaves Taino Indians killed the Spanish left behind Second journey – late 1493 1500 men & 17 ships Enslaved Tainos
Third Journey F & I disappointed by results Fourth Journey Slave raiding & obsessive searching for gold Died in 1506 Still believed he reached Asia Amerigo Vespucci 1499 – mundus novus
Invasion of America Conquistadors Encomienda Labor of Indians Search for gold Invasion of Puerto Rico & Jamaica Invasion of Cuba – 1511 Invasion of Central America – 1511
Vasco Nunez de Balboa Panama “South Sea” 1517 – Mexico – Aztec Empire City of Teochtitlan – 300,000 people Powerful Empire 1519 – Hernan Cortes – war on Aztecs Spanish-Indian Alliance Superior Weapons Smallpox Gold & Silver made F & I mightiest state in Europe
Destruction of the Indies Spanish conquest - slaughter Carib – end of 16 th century Chichimecs – Northern Mexico Bartolome de las Casas Spanish Catholic priest Destruction of the Indies (1552) European Powers condemned Spanish practices Warfare, famine, lower birth rates & disease crushed the Native American population
Intercontinental Exchange Precious Metals New world crops – helped avoid famine in Europe Maize Potatoes –Peru Tomatoes – Cash crops Tobacco American vanilla & chocolate cotton Horses and Livestock