Spain Builds an Empire

1492 Seeking another route to the riches of Asia, he traveled west, across the Atlantic Ocean. Although he was Italian, he was sponsored by the King and Queen of Spain. He landed in the West Indies and brought back new discoveries to Spain. He also established the first European colony in the Americas. Christopher Columbus On the natives: “They were of an acute intelligence but had no iron or steel weapons. Should your majesties command it, all the inhabitants could be made slaves.”

Treaty of Tordesillas  This treaty gave most of the New World to Spain. Portugal was given Brazil.

The Conquistadors  Conquistador is the Spanish word for conqueror.  Their goal was to explore and to gain as much land and wealth for Spain as possible.

Why did they come?? Some came for profit. GOLD Some came to convert Native Americans to Christianity. (religion ) GOD Some came for adventure. GLORY

Spanish Explorers

Conquistadors  1. Ponce de Leon:  Searched Florida for the Fountain of Youth.

Conquistadors  2. Hernando Cortes: ( )  Conquered the Aztec Empire and stole their gold.  Tribes that the Aztecs had conquered joined with Cortes.  Disease killed almost all of the Aztecs.

Conquistadors  3. Francisco Pizarro: ( )  Conquered the Incan Empire.  Pizarro ambushed the Incan emperor, Atahualpa. He killed him and thousands of his men.  The Incan Empire, which had been fighting a civil war, collapsed.  Pizarro stole huge treasures of gold and silver.

Spain in the New World

New World & Old World

A worldwide exchange of goods and ideas that transformed the world. The Columbian Exchange

maize (corn) potatoes sugar cane tobacco horses, cows wheat disease religion

Vocabulary encomienda The right of Spanish settlers to demand labor from Native Americans. (forced labor)

plantation Large estate farmed by many workers. Vocabulary

pueblo Small village of settlers. Vocabulary

presidio Fort with Spanish soldiers. They protected the settlers. Vocabulary

mission Religious settlements set up by priests or friars who wanted to convert the Native Americans. Vocabulary

Social Classes in New Spain PENINSUL ARE CREOLE MESTIZO INDIAN Born in Spain. Had the highest government jobs. Born in the colonies of Spanish parents. Wealthy and well- educated. Mixed Spanish and Indian blood. Worked on farms or as tailors, carpenters, bakers, etc. Lowest class. Treated as conquered people and kept in poverty.

Results of Colonization  Native American populations declined drastically due to: New diseasesNew diseases WarfareWarfare Harsh conditionsHarsh conditions

Other Results  Thedeathsof millions of Native Americans led to a labor shortage  The deaths of millions of Native Americans led to a labor shortage. Where would Spain get the laborers needed for their plantations and mines?  Spain filled the shortage with slaves from Africa.

Las Casas  Bartolomé de Las Casas was a Spanish priest that fought for laws to protect Native Americans.  He was known as “Protector of the Indians”

Other Results  New foods introduced to Europe led to a population increase in Europe.  Spain became a wealthy empire.  Other nations (Portugal, France, & England) also wanted to colonize the New World.

Questions  What does conquistador mean? answer answer  Give one example of an item in the Columbian Exchange for the New World and the Old World. answer answer  Which side was favored in the Columbian Exchange? answer answer  What was the social class system in the Spanish colonies based on? answer answer

The End