1. Life in New Spain

2. New Spain Spain claimed all lands explored by her explorers including…
Islands of the Caribbean
Mexico
Northern South America
Southern North America
Western coast of North America!
This land claim became known as “New Spain”. The Spanish quickly began to build settlements here for trade purposes.

3. Spain Conquers Hernan Cortes – conquered the Aztecs (Mexico)
Got help from another Indian tribe that was at war with the Aztecs
Montezuma (Aztec leader) b/l that Cortes was a god that came to conquer the Aztecs
Francisco Pizarro – conquered the Incas (Peru)
Captured Inca leader Atahualpa and eventually killed him

4. A Society Based on Class
New Spain had a very structured society based on birth, income & education.
Peninsulares (born in Spain- govt. or church leaders)
Criollos (Born in New Spain of Spanish parents)
Mestizos (Mix of Spanish & Indian)
Indians, Africans, or any mix of both

5. Purpose of New Spain Main purpose- to make as much money as possible!
Spanish took all they could from the natives- then forced them to work in mines to extract more silver & gold
As strict Catholics, the Spanish also created missions (churches) throughout New Spain to convert the natives to Christianity