Section 2 Spain Builds an Empire
A conquistador is a conqueror. What is the scene? When asked why the Spanish traveled to the America’s, Bernal Diaz del Castillo, a conquistador, replied, “We came here to serve God and the king and also to get rich.” In their search for glory and gold, the conquistadors made Spain one of the richest nations in Europe. A conquistador is a conqueror.
Who were the Spanish Conquistadors? Spanish conquistadors promised one fifth of the gold and treasures they may find. In 1519, after hearing about a wealthy Native American empire, Hernando Cortes set sail to Mexico with 600 soldiers and 16 horses.
Who conquered the Aztecs? Hernando Cortes and his men arrived on November 8, 1519 and immediately rode into the Aztec’s city. Cortes was initially friendly toward the Aztec’s emperor but eventually made him a prisoner in his own city. The Aztecs were finally able to drive the Spanish out of their city…. But not for long. Cortez came back and recaptured the city and brought it down.
Who conquered the Incas? Francisco Pizarro set out to take down the Incan empire with less than 200 soldiers. In 1532, he captured the Incan emperor and later executed him. Without leadership, the Incan resistance collapsed and by 1535, Pizarro controlled most of the Incan empire.
What were the reasons for the Spanish victories? First, they had superior military equipment like steel armor and guns. The Aztecs and the Incas relied on clubs, bows and arrows, and spears. Secondly, the Aztecs didn’t fight as hard as they might have. They hesitated to attack first because they first thought the Spanish were gods. Finally, many Indians died from European diseases like the chickenpox, measles and influenza.
Who explored the Spanish borderlands? The borderlands span from Florida to California in present day United States. In 1513, Juan Ponce de Leon traveled these parts looking for the legendary fountain of youth. Indians claimed that anyone who bathed in the magical water would remain young forever.
An ill fated journey… In 1528,Panfilo Narvaez led an expedition that ended in disaster when a storm struck his fleet in the Gulf of Mexico. A few survived and landed near present day Texas where they were captured by Indians and held prisoner.
Who were DeSoto and Coronado? Hernando DeSoto explored Florida and parts of the southeast looking for gold. He died on the Mississippi riverbank without finding his gold. Francisco Coronado heard legends about “seven cities of gold” and set out to find them.
How did they settle New Spain? Spain let the conquistadors govern the land. The king split the American lands into New Spain and Peru. A code called the Laws of the Indies stated how the colonies should be organized and ruled. The code provided for three kinds of settlements (pueblos, presidios and missions).
What were pueblos? Pueblos, or towns, were centers of farming and trade.
What are Presidios? Presidios are forts where soldiers lived. Inside were shops, stables, and storehouses for their food.
What are missions? Missions are religious settlements that are run by Catholic priests and friars. Indians were often forced to live and work on missions.
What was society like in New Spain? There was a strict social class system in New Spain. Peninsulares held the highest job in government and the Church. Creoles were people born in to the Americas to Spanish parents Mestizos were people of mixed Spanish and Indian background. The lowest class was the Indians.
How was labor hard for Native Americans? Las Casas journeyed to Europe and asked the king of Spain to protect the Indians. In the 1540s, the royal government did pass laws prohibiting the enslavement of Native Americans.
When did the slave trade between Africa and the Americas begin? Bartolome de Las Casas made a suggestion that had a lasting, tragic impact. In order to protect the Native Americans, he proposed the idea of Africans to be brought over as slaves to replace the Indian laborers.