Spain’s American Empire

Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) Wikipedia Commons

Spanish Exploration and Conquest Spain owed its expanding power to its explorers and conquerors (conquistadores). Vasco Nunez de Balboa, who discovered the Pacific, Hernan Cortez, who conquered the Aztecs in Mexico, Francisco Pizarro who conquered the Incas, plus many other conquistadores secured Spain’s initial supremacy in the Americas. These conquistadores sent gold and silver back to Spain from Mexico and Peru. They increased the worldwide supply of gold by 500 percent making Spain the richest and most powerful nation in the world.

TENOCHTITLAN-MEXICO CITY HERNAN CORTEZ

The Encomienda System When the Spanish conquered the natives in the Caribbean and South America these natives were required to pay tribute or perform work for Spanish landowners. In return the Native Americans would receive protection from other tribes, education, and Christianity.  The Spanish started the encomienda system when all of the natives’ riches (gold, silver ) were exhausted.

European Treatment of Native Americans Most Europeans looked down on Native Americans. The Europeans who colonized North and South America generally viewed Native Americans as inferior people who could be exploited for economic gain, converted to Christianity, and used as military allies. THE SPANISH POLICY The Spanish incorporated natives into their labor force (the ones who survived disease) and were brutally oppressed. Spanish soldiers and explorers intermarried with the natives and with African slaves. A rigid class system was established with pure-blooded Spaniards ruling the other classes.

“Civilized vs. “Subjugated” Bartolome de Las Casas Spanish priest who fought for better treatment of natives. He persuaded the king to establish New Laws in 1542 which ended Indian slavery, halted forced Indian labor, and tried to end the Encomienda system. However, many Spaniards successfully pushed the king to repeal most of these laws. Valladolid Debate In 1550-51 de Las Casas and another priest, Juan Gines de Sepulveda, had debates over the treatment of natives. Sepulveda, argued that Indians were less than human while de Las Casas argued for equal treatment. Neither side won the debate, but de Las Casas established the basic arguments that Indians should receive justice.

Mission System As Spain expanded its empire into North America, it established a network of Roman Catholic missions. The purpose of the missions was to bring Christianity to Native Americans who were also required to learn the Spanish language.

Spanish Settlements in North America Spanish settlements developed slowly in North America, as a result of limited mineral resources (Spanish did not find gold or silver) and strong opposition from American Indians. Florida To protect against their empire from other European countries, the Spanish established a permanent settlement in St. Augustine in 1565. Today, St. Augustine is the oldest city in North America founded by Europeans. New Mexico Santa Fe was established as the capital of New Mexico in 1610. Spanish mistreatment of Pueblo Indians led serious conflicts.

Spanish-Pueblo Conflicts Europeans sought to change Natives’ way of life and worldview Natives sought to preserve autonomy (independence or self-rule) Juan de Onate crushed Pueblo resistance at the Battle of Acoma in 1599 Pope drives Spanish temporarily out of New Mexico

More Spanish Settlements Texas The Spanish colonized Texas in the 1600’s mainly to stop the French from taking over Texas. California The Spanish settled California in response to Russian exploration in Alaska. Permanent settlements were founded in San Diego in 1769, San Francisco in 1776, plus many other Catholic Missions alongside the California Coast.

Slave Trading In the 15th century, the Portuguese began trading for slaves from West Africa. They used slaves to work sugar plantations on islands near the African coast. Producing sugar with slave labor was so profitable that when Europeans later established colonies in the Americas, they used the slave system there.

African Resistance Although they were transported thousands of miles from their homes, enslaved Africans resisted slavery in whatever ways they could. They maintained their culture as much as they could. For example, combining Christianity with their native religions. Maroon communities – established by runaway slaves.

England’s Competition with Spain 1588 - defeat of Spanish Armada Joint-stock companies provided the economic means Roanoke, 1585 – what happened? Wikipedia Commons

Recap By 1600 Europeans had created the world’s first truly global economy. The "age of discovery" resulted in the greatest human catastrophe in world history: 90% of Amerindians died by 1600; tens of millions of Africans were enslaved Cultural differences between European and Amerindians were so immense that major conflicts occurred. England did not begin competing for a North American empire until the late 16th century.