Colonialism in South America Ms. Hunt Unit 2 RMS IB

Spanish Colonies THINK ABOUT IT?- Who lead Spanish exploration in the New World? Supported by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella – To strengthen the Catholic Church and gain followers Conquistador- Spanish explorer who sought gold and glory through exploration in the New World (Think Conqueror!)

Spanish Conquistadors Vasco Nunez de Balboa founded first European settlement on the mainland of the Americas – present day Panama. Hernan Cortes- leader of the Spanish force in modern day Mexico – Dropped out of law school to pursuit “gold and glory” in the New World Fernando Pizzaro- leader of expedition to Andes Mountains

Cortes’ Campaign Against the Aztecs Cortes gets two lucky breaks 1)Montezuma, the Aztec king, thought Cortes might be a god, and welcomed him with lavish gifts and gold. 2)Discovered a Spanish prisoner who could communicate with the Aztecs What happened? The Spanish were impressed with the grandeur and riches of the Aztec capital But horrified by the barbarism and cruelty of the Aztecs. – Cortes immediately decided to put a stop to the cannibalism and human sacrifice Laid siege to the Aztec capital and takes the king as hostage Aztec people riot and Cortes forces the Aztec’s to surrender.

Why did the Spanish win? Superior technology- steel weapons, guns, artillery, horses, steel armor. Indian allies – The Aztecs were so hated, it was easy for the Spanish to recruit the help of other Indians. Disease – European diseases, particularly small pox, devastated the Aztec population

Conquering the Incas Pizarro’s expedition fought along the frontier of the Incan Empire Pizarro and a force of about 180 men captured the Inca Emperor, Atahualpa – Hoping the Spanish will go away, Atahualpa offers Pizarro a room full of gold, if they will leave. Pizarro agreed, but instead had Atahualpa executed. By 1541, the Spanish have a vast empire stretching from present day California and Florida, to Chile.

People of Spanish Colonies Spanish Class System Peninsulare – Born in Spain. – Held High Positions Criollos – Spaniards born in the colonies. – Often wealthy, they could not hold government offices. Mestizos – People of Spanish and Indian heritage. – They were poor and without power. Africans and Indians – these people were at the bottom and held no power. – They were usually slaves.

The Economy of a Spanish Colony The Encomienda System- an economic system set up by the Spanish to make Spain wealthy off its colonies Under this system, Indians did all the work – mining, farming, and ranching for Spanish landlords. – The Spanish grew extremely rich off the gold, silver, coffee, sugar cane, and other crops the Indians grew for them. The Indians were poor, starving, and essentially slaves Effect- – thousands of Indians died from starvation, murder, and disease – the Spanish began to import Africans as slaves

Brazil- The Portuguese Colony In 1500, Portuguese Sea Captain, Pedro Alvares Cabral discovers Brazil. – Goal was to reach India. The first permanent settlement was set up by the Portuguese in Economy- Sugar Cane Industry – which led to the importation of millions of slaves from Africa Brazil would become the largest and most important colony in South America!

Slavery in the Colony of Brazil More slaves were sent to Brazil than to any other colony in South or North America. In Brazil, slaves had many more rights than in North America. – Slaves could marry. – Slaves had to be baptized. – Slave families could not be broken up for sale. – Slaves had many days on which they could either rest or earn money to buy their freedom. The Government encouraged the granting of freedom of slaves. The Portuguese accepted the African slaves as humans, not as chattel, or property.

Think about it? Read the quote. “the Brazilian slave knew he was a man, and that he differed in degree, not in kind, from his master” Explain what you think that quote means. How might that attitude of and about Brazilian slaves make a difference in Brazilian culture today?

RAFT Activity Choose from any of the following options to create a RAFT regarding Colonialism in South America. Role- – European colonizer – European Explorer – Conquistador – Native from South America Audience- – European citizens – European Monarch – Natives of South America Format- – Letter – Advertisement – Speech – News Article Topic- – Colonizing in the New World – the Encomienda System – Spanish Social Class System – impact of colonialism Your final product should – be completed on the next blank page in your Interactive Notebook. – Include a title along the top of the page- “Colonialism in South America- RAFT” – Include color in some way (Examples: Title, border, images) – Be Correct and Creative!