1. Europe and the Americas
Age of Exploration
Europe and the Americas

2. Conquistadors (Google Images)
Spanish conquerors

3. Reasons for Victory
1. Superior Military Technology a. Muskets and cannons b. Introduced horses to Native Americans c. Metal helmets and armor 2. Division and discontent among the Indians aided the Spanish (peoples that the Incas and Aztecs had conquered were willing to help the conquistadors) 3. Diseases brought by Europeans killed large portions of the Native American population

4. Economy Gold and silver (mined in the Americas and shipped to Spain)
Plantations  large estates where cash crops are grown (sugar plantations in the West Indies) – African slave labor force

5. Social Classes
1. Peninsulares (people born in Spain) 2. Creoles (American-born descendents of Spanish settlers) 3. Mestizos (people of Native American and Spanish descent) 4. Mulattoes (people of African and European descent) 5. Native Americans 6. Africans

6. Colonies in the Americas
Country
Spain
Great Britain
France
Goals
Win converts to Christianity
Gain land and riches
Commercial ventures
Haven for persecuted religious groups
Fishing, fur trapping
Government
King exercises strict control through Council of Indies and viceroys
Overseen by royal governors
Large degree of self-government
At first, France paid little attention
Later, king exercised control
Religion
Catholic Church influences colonial government
Missionaries seek converts to Christianity
Haven for religious prosecution
Missionaries sought converts to Christianity
Prohibited settling by Protestants

7. Colonies in the Americas Cont’d
Country
Spain
Great Britain
France
Slavery
Used Native Americans, then African slaves
African slaves, especially on southern plantations
African slaves in Caribbean colonies
Interaction with Native Americans
Conquered and destroyed native civilizations
Some early settlers helped by Native Americans
Later settlers fought natives for land
Helped fur traders claim territory
Married Native American women

8. Triangular Trade (Google Images)

9. Columbian Exchange (Google Images)