The three motivations supporting Spanish Settlement of the New World Gold Glory And God

1494

Conquistadors: Ex-military men from the Reconquista in Spain who led military expeditions to South America.

“Since this harsh land will yield us no living, we must rely on our swords and lances. For the same reason, we must move on” –Hernan Cortez

Hernan Cortez Tenochtitlàn: Capital of Aztec Moctezuma: Emperor Interesting Facts: Weakened by Small Pox Used Malintzin to rally up an army of natives to rise up First of the Conquistadors

Pizarro's Conquest Atahualpa: Emperor of Incans Ransom: 24 tons of Gold and Silver Roads and Disease=easier to conquer

Spanish Conquest of North America Hernando de Soto Traveled all around North America in search of gold/riches of Incans One of the soldiers with Pizarro Jaun Ponce de Leon Fountain of Youth First Spaniard to attempt settlement in North America

Colonial Society Encomienda-- Plantations (large farms which grow one crop) Slavery was illegal in Spanish Territory (all citizens including natives were to be free) yet natives who were placed on Encomiendas were treated like slaves. Fed by African Slave Trade as Well

Missions-- For God "The pattern established at the outset has remained to this day, and the Spaniards still do nothing save tear the natives to shreds, murder them and inflict upon them untold misery, suffering and distress, tormenting, harrying and persecuting them mercilessly." According to Las Casas, atrocities continued unabated in the Americas, even half a century after the discovery." -Las Casas

“It clearly appears that there are no races in the world, however rude, uncultivated, barbarous, gross, or almost brutal they may be, who cannot be persuaded and brought to a good order and way of life, and made domestic, mild and tractable, provided . . . the method that is proper and natural to men is used; that is, love and gentleness and kindness..” –Las Casas

“The man rules over the woman, the adult over the child, the father over his children. That is to say, the most powerful and most perfect rule over the weakest and most imperfect. This same relationship exists among men, there being some who by nature are masters and others who by nature are slaves. Those who surpass the rest in prudence and intelligence, although not in physical strength, are by nature the masters. On the other hand, those who are dim-witted and mentally lazy, although they may be physically strong enough to fulfill all the necessary tasks, are by nature slaves. It is just and useful that it be this way. We even see it sanctioned in divine law itself, for it is written in the Book of Proverbs: "He who is stupid will serve the wise man." And so it is with the barbarous and inhumane peoples [the Indians] who have no civil life and peaceful customs. It will always be just and in conformity with natural law that such people submit to the rule of more cultured and humane princes' and nations. Thanks to their virtues and the practical wisdom of their laws, the latter can destroy barbarism and educate these [inferior] people to a more humane and virtuous life. And if the latter reject such rule, it can be imposed upon them by force of arms. Such a war will be just according to natural law. . . ..” –Sepulveda Sepulveda

Write a letter to the king Address it to the King of Spain Introduce yourself One positive effect the Spanish have on the Americans One negative effect the Spanish have on the Americans Overall Should the Spanish stay