DO NOW What was the biggest reason why Spain defeated many of the great Empires of the Americas?

The Spanish Colonies

Competing Claims Several European nations, including Spain, had sent explorers to claim land in the Americas. After claiming the lands, these explorers moved on, leaving no one to protect the claims. They were competing to win control of as much of the Americas as possible. Many nations including Spain, began to form colonies to protect its claims in the Americas and to govern the people there.

Slavery in the Americas Many colonist came to start large farms called plantations. Plantation: a large farm By 1550, there were about 100,000 Spanish colonists spread across the Americas. Spain and other countries, forced Native Americans they had conquered into slavery. Slavery: the practice of holding people against their will and making them work without pay. Thousands of Native Americans died from hunger and the work they did. Thousands more died from diseases the settlers brought with them from Europe.

Slavery in the Americas Continued… Diseases such as measles, smallpox, and influenza sometimes killed whole tribes. As more and more Native Americans died, colonists began to capture Africans to be enslaved workers. Most of these Africans were taken to Brazil or the Caribbean Islands.

Spain Began Protecting its Claims Spain wanted to protect its lands north of Mexico City. Borderlands: areas of land on or near the borders between countries, colonies, or regions Spanish soldiers led the way, building presidios Presidios: a Spanish fort. Pedro Menendez de Aviles and 1500 soldiers, sailors, and settlers sailed from Spain to arrive in what is now St. Augustine Florida, where they built the first permanent European settlement in what is now the US.

Spain Began Protecting its Claims Continued… Spain's main goal was to Protect its empire Spread Christianity to Native Americans Set up leaders appointed by the King to rule over the colonies. In 1610, Spanish missionaries helped settle Santa Fe, the capital of the New Mexico Colony. Mission: a small religious settlement Some settlers built large haciendas where they raised cattle and sheep. Hacienda: a large estate or home where cattle and sheep are raised Spain brought many animals with them to make their lives easier, which made a lasting impact on the Native Americans. Horses became an animal that Native Americans began using to hunt and in war. Some Natives, began raising sheep and using their wool to make clothing.