Spain’s Empire in the America’s

Objective: Summarize how Spain ruled its empire

Spain’s Empire in the America’s Centralized Government Indian Laborers Spanish Missionaries A.The Spanish moved quickly to set up a strong centralized government in the Americas. 1.The land was divided into Provinces 2.The king appointed a viceroy to carry out his polies in each province B. The Spanish Gov’t believed that the colonies existed for economic benefit of Spain 1. King claimed 1/5 of all gold and silver mined 2. Spain controlled the trade if the colonies. a. Encouraged export of raw materials b. Discourages manufacturing A.The Spanish gov’t gave huge tracts of land to the colonies conquistadors B.Settlers believed that it was beneath them to work with their hand 1. Encomienda- grants that entitled the conquistadors to demand labor and taxes from Indians who lived on the lands. 2. Peons- Indians who had once worked for the Aztecs and Incas and now worked for Spanish C. The encomienda system was practice of a brutal form of slavery. 1. Thousands of Indians died during the 1500’s because of harsh working conditions. A.Sufferings of the Indians troubled many Catholic missionaries who journeyed to the Americas B.Barthlome de las Casas 1. he began a lifelong campaign to protect Indians from colonists who were interested only in the profits to be made from their labor. 2. His appeals to the King resulted in new laws passed in 1542 forbidding the further enslavement of Indians. C. In the 1500’s the Catholic Church sent many of Spain’s best friars to convert the Indians. 1. They learned the Indians language. 2. Wrote accounts of Indian customs. 3. Set up schools.

Portuguese Colonization of Brazil

1.How did the Portuguese claim Brazil? 2. How were the settlements of Brazil started? 3.Who populated the 15 fortified towns on the Brazilian coast in the mid 1500’s 4. What was the progression of people to the inland of Brazil?

Portuguese Colonization of Brazil 1. How did the Portuguese claim Brazil? In the 1500’s the fleet of Pedro Cabral landed on the coast of Brazil and claimed this territory for Portugal.

Portuguese Colonization of Brazil 2. How were the settlements of Brazil started? Wealthy noblemen received large land grants from the Portuguese King

Portuguese Colonization of Brazil 3.Who populated the 15 fortified towns on the Brazilian coast in the mid 1500’s? Portuguese from all walks of life- all social classes

Portuguese Colonization of Brazil 4. What was the progression of people to the inland of Brazil? 1.Jesuit missionaries pioneered the exploration of the interior. a.They started schools and mission churches for Indian 2. Portuguese settlers followed the missionaries inland. a. Some were farmers looking for grazing land b. Others were looking for gold or Indians to capture and sell as slave

Who’s Next? Like Spain, Portugal gained power and prestige from its American colonies. Other European Monarchs were slow to take advantage of the opportunities In the late 1500’s and early 1600’s they began to enter the competition

Spain’s Empire in the America’s Objective: Summarize how Spain ruled its empire Viceroy ruled in the name of the king

Spain’s Empire in the America’s/ Portuguese in Brazil