AP Chapter 2 When Worlds Collide 1492-1590

Columbus Reaches the Americas Reconquista- centuries long struggle by the Spanish to defeat the Muslims During the Reconquista the Spanish became very good at conquest and plundering 1492- Christopher Columbus led an expedition westward looking for a shorter route to Asia

Columbus’s goal was to expand the power of the Spanish Empire He explored parts of Cuba and Hispaniola and reported back on his discovery Soon many larger expeditions were sent to the Americas

Invasion of the Americas Columbus’s successors established the Encomienda system which forced the natives into slave labor Reports of gold led the Spanish to explore parts of North and Central America Hernando Cortes defeated the Aztecs in 1519

Social Structure Peninsular Creoles Mestizos Native Americans Slaves

Destruction of the Indies The Spanish were easily able to defeat the Native Americans because of superior weapons and diseases (smallpox) Spanish were criticized for the treatment of the Native Americans Some estimate that over 20 million Native Americans died as a result of the Spanish conquest

Further Expansion in the Americas Ponce de Leon- was the first Spanish conquistador to extend his power into North America by exploring modern day Florida. Treaty of Tordesillas (1494)- treaty dividing the America’s between Spain and Portugal Spain dominated central and South America

Northern Exploration and Encounters John Cabot- was the 1st successful explorer in N. America and reached Labrador in 1497. Capt. Cartier tried to locate a Northwest Passage which eventually allowed the French to lay claim to the lands in Canada

Beginning in the 16th Century the fur trade played a huge role in the economy of N. America for three centuries Fur Trade led to competition among the Native American tribes and warfare broke out over hunting grounds.

First Colonies Huguenots were the leaders behind the first French attempt to establish colonies in N. America English settlements were driven primarily by economic motives Francis Drake (England)- began launching raids against the Spanish in the New World

Conclusion The Spanish opened up the exploration of the America’s with Columbus’s voyage Natives suffered disastrous consequences Spain, England, France and Portugal all began competing for colonies.