1. Unit 6: Day 8 Age of Exploration
Empire and The First Global Economic Systems

2. The Spanish Empire
Prior to Imperial Conquests the Aztecs ruled much of Central Mexico.
Their capital was Tenochtitlan; Their Leader was Moctezuma II
Spanish Conquerors of the Americas were known as Conquistadors
A Spaniard known as Hernan Cortes marched into Tenochtitlan with 550 Troops and 16 Horses.
After a year, the local Aztecs revolted against Cortes, however, disease forced the Aztecs to surrender after four months of revolt.

3. The Spanish Empire
The Spaniards then turned their attention to South America
In 1531, Spanish Conquistador, Francisco Pizarro landed near modern day Peru
The Inca lived here and they immediately felt the impact of European Disease
The Inca Emperor died leaving his 2 sons to fight over the throne, throwing them into a civil war
Pizarro capitalized on the situation and easily overthrew Inca warriors with their guns
Cuzco was sacked and another Spanish Colony was established

4. European Arrivals
The Dutch, the French, and the English quickly followed Spain and Portugal’s lead.
The Dutch established colonies in North America and named in New Netherland; This was taken over by the English in the 1660s and renamed New York.
Eventually the English took over the most of the east coast of North America
The French established colonies in current day Canada where they established a strong fur trade. They also had a colony in current day Louisiana

5. Commercial Revolution
Resulted from the economic impact of the Renaissance
New financial institutions/practices emerge
Joint Stock Companies
Mercantilism
Subsidies

6. Mercantilism
Prosperity of a nation depended on its supply of gold and silver
How to get more gold and silver?
Extract from your colonies
Maintain a favorable balance of trade
What is a favorable balance of trade?
Exports should be greater than imports, or a country should sell more than it buys

8. Colombian Exchange Activity
As we go through each slide, find the item on your matrix and decide if you think it was an American or European good. Check it off, in pencil.

15. Diseases

26. The Columbian Exchange
The exchange of plants, animals, people, and disease between the Old World and New World

27. Colonial Latin America

28. Economic Foundations
The colonies were used for resource extraction to bring back to Europe.
Colonial farming resulted in deforestation, overgrazing, and overcultivation.
The Spaniards implemented the encomienda system, where natives had to pay taxes and provide labor. In return, the Spaniards were to provide protection protection and teach them the Catholic faith

29. Economic Foundations
In Peru, there was the Mita; This allowed Spanish authorities to draft Native Americans to work in the silver Mines
Both Encomienda and Mita contributed to a decline in Indigenous Population

30. The Impact of the Potato
Read the article about the impact of the potato.
Where did the potato originate?
What was the reaction to the potato in Europe?
How did this change? Examples.
How did the potato impact Europe in the long run?