1. In order to keep control of the colonies, the king of Spain split up his new empire into Viceroyalties. A COUNCIL OF THE INDIES CREATED LAWS FOR THE COLONIES VICEROYS WERE APPOINTED TO RULE THEIR REGIONS IN ACCORDANCE TO LAWS CREATED BY THE COUNCIL. AUDIENCIAS, OR AUDIENCES, WERE APPOINTED TO BY THE ADVISORY COUNCILS WITHIN EACH VICEROYALTY THAT WOULD ASSIST THE VICEROY.

2. The Role of the Catholic Church The church worked closely with the government to convert the natives to Christianity. They created missions, or churches in remote areas; preached, introduced the Spanish language, taught them European trades, and forced them to no longer live as natives.

3. When sugarcane was introduced to the New World, it quickly became a huge source or revenue. Problem was that it took a lot of labor to be profitable. The Spanish monarch gave permission to the viceroys to grant encomiendas. Plantations, land, and natives to cultivate crops. Encomienda owners were not regulated, nor were they prohibited from abusing the natives. As a result of reports of harsh treatment, the king sent the priest Bartolome de las Casas to the New World to report of the treatment of the natives. His reports caused the king to come down on the encomienda system, and forced many to end their operations.

4. Due to the lack of natives to work in the plantations, Spaniards and Portuguese turn to an alternative sources of labor. African slaves. The African slave trade is born, as a result of the Spanish killing off all the available native labor.

5. The Blending of the Cultures European, Native, and African cultures blend in the New World. Europeans adopt Native methods of building, planting, clothing, and eating. Natives adopt new religions, types of clothing, and are educated in new trades. Africans bring new forms of dance, drama, and music to the New World. Not only did their cultures mix, but the races began to mix as well.

6. The Layered Society of Latin America Peninsulares Creoles Mestizo Mulattoes Africans and Natives Those born on the Iberian Peninsula. Spain, Portugal Europeans born and raised in the New World. Those who were offspring of Peninsulares/Creoles and natives. Children of African and Peninsulares/Creole/or Mestizos

7. In less than 100 years, Latin America would be the largest area of Spanish speakers in the world. In less than 50 years after the fall of the Aztecs, Mexico City was the largest Spanish speaking city in the world. It retains that claim today, as well as being the largest city in the world.

8. In 1494, as a way of settling claims in the New World between Spain and Portugal, the Pope settled the argument by creating a line separating claims. The line identified all new colonies east of the line would go to Portugal, those west, would go to Spain. The Portuguese were successful in cultivating sugarcane and harvesting the rich-colored wood known as brazilwood.

9. A new profession arose, supported by the other European nations, privateering, PIRATES. Pirates raided Spanish and Portuguese ships stealing the valuable goods and sending them to their home countries. This practice led Spain and England to eventually go to war. When England won, it became the newest super power of the world.