The Spanish Conquest of the Americas God, Gold and Glory The Spanish in Mexico The Biological Exchange

REASONS FOR COLONIZATION AND EXPLORING THE NEW WORLD Countries are searching for a trade route to Asia for spices and silk Christopher Columbus reaches the West Indies, a chain of islands near the Americas on October 12, 1492

THE SPANISH:GOD The Spanish defeat the Moors after they convert to Christianity in 1492 The Spanish believe that it is their duty to spread Christianity to the world When the Spanish conqueror Native Americans they must be converted because to be Spanish means that you must be a Christian

THE SPANISH: GOLD Gold will be discovered in Mexico The Spanish will desire gold because it will help pay for the expansion of their empire Countries will practice mercantilism, the belief that nations can become wealthy by finding gold and exporting large amounts of goods

THE SPANISH:GLORY During the Reconquista, the Spanish will defeat the Moors after being under their control for 500 years After the Reconquista, Spanish conquistadors will look for adventure and glory in the New World Conquistadors will mine the mountains, forests and Native Americans for wealth

SPANISH EXPLORERS HERNAN CORTES In 1519, Hernando Cortes lands at Vera Cruz, Mexico with 600 soldiers Cortes will encounter the Aztecs and destroy their empire in 1521 The Spanish beat the Aztecs because they have guns, armor, horses and disease

The Spanish in Mexico After Cortes’ victory, the Spanish will force Indians to become Christians Indians will also be forced to work the fields, clear the forest, and work in the gold mines If the Indians do not submit they are punished and killed Some Spaniards will take Indian women as wives, their children will be known as mestizos (birth of Mexicans)

Treasure Spain soon became the richest, most powerful nation in the world due to the American colonies. Ships filled with treasures from the Americas continually sailed into Spanish harbors. This new found wealth helped usher in the “Golden Age” of Spain.

Treasures from the Americas!

Catholic Priests Accompanied explorers to the Americas. While the explorers searched for gold, the priests looked for Christian converts. In 1609-1610, the “Santa Fe” was built. In the next two decades, Christian missions would expand across the Southwestern U.S.

Opposition to Spanish rule Spanish priests worked to spread Christianity in the Americas. They also pushed for a better treatment of Native Americans. Priests spoke out against the cruelty towards the natives. They criticized the encomienda system.

Bartolome de las Casas “There is nothing more detestable or cruel than the tyranny which the Spaniards use toward the Indians for getting of riches.” Las Casas suggested the use of African labor. “The labor of one is more valuable than that of four Indians.” The Spaniards soon began to import Africa slaves to meet their growing labor needs.

De las Casas

The Biological Exchange Europeans Introduced rice, wheat, lettuce and sugar Cattle, pigs, goats, chickens and sheep Horses changed travel, warfare and hunting for Indians Diseases like smallpox and measles Native Americans Introduced corn, potato and pumpkins which increased the world food supply Llamas, dogs, and various types of birds Milder forms of tobacco

Pizzaro

Atahualpa

The Spaniards crushed the Incas and kidnapped their ruler. Atahualpa offered to fill a room once with gold and twice with silver in exchange for his release. After the Spaniards received the ransom, they strangled Atahualpa. Pizarro then took control of the Inca capital, Cuzco.

Atahualpa captured

A new society emerges Peninsulares – Spaniards born in Spain who came to America as settlers or explorers. Peninsulares were mostly men, therefore many married native women. A new race was created called Mestizo – mixed Spanish and Native American.

Encomienda system Spaniards forced Native Americans in a labor system. Natives farmed, ranched, or mined for Spanish landlords. The landlords promised Spanish government they would act fairly and respectfully toward the workers. However, many abused the natives and worked many laborers to death, especially inside the mines.

Treaty of Tordesillas!! Brazil The Portuguese took control of Brazil. Finding little gold or silver, the Portuguese began growing sugar. Clearing out huge forests, the Portuguese built giant sugar plantations. The demand for sugar was high in Europe, and the Brazilian colony made Portuguese very rich.

Disease and Slavery Disease ran rampant throughout Brazil also, killing millions of natives. Furthermore, the Portuguese enslaved the Brazilian natives, like the Spanish did in Mexico and the Caribbean. In this time period, it was common for people to enslave the people of their conquered territories.

Spaniards forced their culture Syncretism, the blending of religious ideas The natives were forced to convert to Christianity. Spanish priests and soldiers often burned their sacred objects and prohibited many native rituals. They were abused physically. Natives who practiced their own religion were beaten.