Spanish and French Colonization

Age of Exploration The Crusades allowed Europeans to experience new fabrics, spices, and commodities which created a strong demand, and trade relationship with the Middle East. The rise of the Ottoman Turks, blocked a land route for items in India that were discovered by Europeans during the Crusades. They needed to find a sea route. Christopher Columbus Went out to find a western way to India (easier than going around Africa) Landed in Present day Cuba/Dominican Republic Major Impact on Native Demographics, and European Culture known as the Columbian Exchange The exchange of goods, crops, idea, infections diseases Probably the most important being the Diseases (80% Native population died)

Changing Governments & Economic Systems Feudalism ended because of an emerging middle class within larger cities Artisans, Guild Organizations, Merchants etc. This was due to the increase in trade of luxury goods from India, and the Middle East. King John of England signed the Magna Carta in 1215 This granted subjects basic freedoms regardless of social class.

Conquistadors Wanted GLORY, GOLD, and GOD (Original 3G network) Wanted National Glory for expanding the Spanish Empire Wanted to make Spain rich This would make them rich in return Wanted to Christianize the indigenous people of North America Did this either by force or by conversion Spain had a nasty track record for being intolerant Cortez – Aztecs (Mexico) Pissarro- Inca’s (Peru)

Dispute Over Land Spain and Portugal are disputing over land in America Pope Alexander divides the land between the two nations Treaty of Tordesillas was the demarcation line between Portugal towards the East and Spain towards the west Spain most def. got the better end of the bargain.

Colonization Spain felt the Conquistadors were too violent, and sent bureaucrats to the colonies. Established the policy of Encomienda This policy gave the Spaniards the right to use the Native Americans as laborers. Spanish Colonial government established headquarters Elaborate urban cities Break down of Spanish Colonial Societies Pennicilares- Small minority who were born in Spain (Held Top official jobs) Creoles- Majority of ”full blooded Spaniards” that were born in the New World Mestizos- Mixture of Native American and Spanish. Spain allowed this in an effort to Christianize the Native Americans

Spreading the Faith The main importance of the Spanish, Particularly in Northern Mexico, and Southern USA was to convert Native Americans to Catholicism. Pope Paul III wanted to free the Natives, and Make them “European Catholics” This did not really work, as they were treated no better. They were given a wage however. The Pope had very little jurisdiction over the Colonies, and it was left in large part up to the Spanish Monarchy to maintain the order and objective of conversion.

Spanish Colonization of USA Juan Ponce de León first went to explore Florida in 1513 In search of 3Gs (Fountain of Youth) Pedro Menéndez de Avilés Settled Florida (St. Augustine) This was to protect their interests from Pirates throughout the Caribbean Also set up missions in the area. Failed American Southwest Took longer because it had no Glory or Gold It did have people to convert to Christianity doe! Used super brutal tactics to covert them Set up a road system to connect missions, fort and outposts in US southwest and Mexico The main use for Native Americans in the south west was not to “Christianize” them, but to have them serve their outposts.

Colonization Competition Europe saw Spain become the richest country in the world, due to the precious metals, and other goods France- Settled for mainly economic reasons Very large in the fur trade and focused on building relationships with natives Not force them into a European lifestyle Established a new territorial claim of New France (Louisiana) by Sieur Robert Cavelier de La Salle

Dutch Colonization The Dutch used Manhattan Island (NYC) as the staging point for a trade depot from the New World to the Old World Very religiously tolerate people to help people displaced from the Protestant reformation and embraced freedom Joint Stock Company