 The mix of diverse peoples gave rise to a new social structure  The blending of Native American, African, and Europe peoples and traditions resulted in a culture distinct to the Americas.

 The Spanish culture was dominant in the cities  Settlers learned Native American styles  Indian artistic styles influenced the newcomers  Europeans taught their religion to Native Americans  Also introduced animals, thereby transforming the lives of many Native Americans  Africans contributed to this cultural mix  The African drama, dance, and song heightened Christian services  Africans forged new religions

Peninsulares or people born in Spain filled the highest postions in both colonial governments and the Catholic Church Creoles owned most of the plantations, ranches, and mines Mestizos & Mulattoes people of Native American and European descent & people of African and European descent

 Spanish settlers generally lived in towns and cities  Mexico City was the largest Spanish-speaking city in the world  Around the central plaza, or square, stood government buildings and a Spanish-style church  European power and wealth  Cities were centers of intellectual and cultural life  Architecture and painting, as well as poetry and the exchange of ideas, flourished in Spanish cities in the Americas

 The colonies built universities  A dozen Spanish American universities were already educating young men  Women wishing an education might enter a convent  Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz.  She earned a reputation as one of the greatest poets ever to write in the Spanish language.

 Settling Brazil  The Tupian Indians- had been largely wiped out by disease  In the 1530s, Portugal began to issue grants of land to Portuguese nobles, agreed to develop the land and share profits with the crown  Brazil offered no instant wealth from silver and gold  However, early settlers cut and exported brazilwood  The Portuguese named the colony after this wood  Soon they turned to plantation agriculture and raising cattle  Like the Spanish, the Portuguese forced Indians and Africans to clear land for plantations

 Spain was made to the most powerful country in Europe, with Portugal not far behind  The jealous English and Dutch shared the resentment that French king Francis I felt  Pirates preyed on treasure ships from the Americas  Some pirates, called privateers, even operated with the approval of European governments.  Other European explorers continued to sail the coasts of the Americas

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