How the Americas were encountered, conquered, colonized and developed

identify the reasons for exploration of the New World by Spain, also, the effects of the conquest on the Americas. Old World [Europe] New World [Europe]

Uniting Spain: King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile For many, many years the country of Spain was divided into sections ruled by different people. The two largest and most powerful territories were Aragon and Castile which were ruled by separate monarchs. In 1469 Isabella and Ferdinand were married with the blessing of the Catholic Church and united the entire country within a few years under one united Kingdom.

Reconquista: The Re-conquest Within 10 years of Isabella and Ferdinand’s marriage the monarchy, with the support of the Catholic Church issued decrees that only Catholics were allowed to live in Spain. For hundreds of years before 1480 there were powerful Jewish families and Muslim communities that held strong financial and military power within Spain. In order to fully control Spain under Catholic rule a re-conquest of the nation ordered people to convert or be jailed, tortured, killed or deported. By 1492 the Reconquista was complete!

Expansion and Colonization Many, many people inside and outside of Spain tried to become friendly and helpful to the new monarchy in Spain. The king and queen like most monarchs desired riches, respect and rewards. People from all over Europe offered deals and opportunities to help the king and queen become more powerful.

The Genoese Explorer ► An Italian sea navigator from Genoa, Italy who had failed to get sponsored by other monarchs in Italy and Portugal convinced Queen Isabella to sponsor him to find India. ► India was considered hugely rich in valuable spices and gold. ► Columbus believed he could establish trade in India and eventually conquer it for Spain in exchange for a lot of money.

Columbus and Las Casas ► After Columbus arrived in the place that he called the Indies his soldiers swiftly took control of the territories and all of the people who lived there. ► The island inhabitants (Taino and Arawak people) were friendly and welcoming to the Spanish perhaps by fear and curiosity. ► Conquistadors (Spanish soldiers and conquerors) quickly established Catholic rule and a system called Encomienda.

Encomienda ► A brutal and controlling system of forced labor of native peoples was used to mine gold and other natural resources for the benefit of Spain. ► At first the Catholic Church supported the system but a dissenter named Bartolome de Las Casas protested. ► Las Casas believed the system was cruel and un-Christian. ► He wrote criticisms of the policy and got Columbus removed as Royal Governor.

The Genoese (a person from Genoa, Italy) Explorer ► Columbus never reached India by sea. Instead taking his trio of ships La Niña, La Pinta and the La Santa Maria reached several islands in the Caribbean sea after months of travel. ► Although a lot of gold was eventually discovered in other places in what is now called South America by other Spanish explorers Columbus’ expeditions (there were 3 altogether was considered failures). ► Isabella trusted him but eventually stopped sponsoring him after the 3 rd expedition because of pressure from other explorers and her advisors.

Let the conquest begin! ► In 1492 Spain’s Monarchy sent explorers to find new land. ► Columbus claimed several islands in the Caribbean as Spain’s colonies. ► Extensions of mother country.

► The so-called Columbian Exchange was the movement of people, animals, plants and diseases between Europe, Africa and the Americas. ► Types of life that were not native (not born in or used to living) in certain parts of the world invaded other areas and caused problems such as killing off native people, plants and animals. ► Some of this exchange was good because some food was more common and some of this was bad because certain disease were impossible to survive.

Explosion of Competition ► Columbus’ discovery set off a flurry (a hurried rush) of voyages by other nations. ► Such as Who? ► England, Spain and France European monarchs (kings and queens)

What were some results of Spanish in the New World? ► European culture (way of living) became widespread in the Americas. ► Examples? ► Language, religion and government.

Where did European explorers settle in the New World? ► Spain settled in the South and West. ► England in the Caribbean and on the East. ► France in the Caribbean and in the Southeast.

Spain’s territory

England’s territory

France’s territory

Some Possible RAFT Paper Options [You do not have to select any of the following options they are only suggestions] ► You are King Ferdinand of Aragon or Queen Isabella of Castile thinking of ways to become more powerful inside and outside of Spain. ► You are Christopher Columbus, the ocean navigator, who convinced the Spanish Monarchs to fund his voyages to the New World [write about what the experience might have been like to struggle]. ► An Arawak or Taino native in one of the Caribbean islands who encountered the Spanish as they arrived on their island with soldiers, guns, horses, dogs and diseases [write about your opinions of what took place]. ► An animal, plant or disease that has traveled from Europe to the New World [write about what is the experience like: successes and/or failures]. ► As a member of Columbus’ expedition (one of his men) you have traveled on the ocean with him and experienced life in the New World islands [describe your emotions, the conditions and any suffering or fear you felt]. ► You are Columbus. You have been to the New World, returned to Spain and then returned to the New World. Describe what you have been experienced.

Image Sources ► een_Isabella..jpg een_Isabella..jpg een_Isabella..jpg ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ►