1. Key Terms – The Encounter in South America
Ferdinand and Isabella
Granada
The Reconquista
Spanish Inquisition
Conquistadors
Mexico
Hernando Cortes
Aztecs
Montezuma
Smallpox
Mayans
Francisco Pizarro
Incas
New Spain
The Encomienda
Bartolome de las Casas
Brazil
Feitorias

2. Ferdinand and Isabella
Ferdinand and Isabella → king and queen of Spain during the Age of Exploration, sought to consolidate their power in Spain via marriage and policy
Sent numerous explorers out to the Americas in search of new goods and markets

3. The Reconquista
Spain during the 15th Century still had a Muslim stronghold in its midst which was Granada.
Granada → last Muslim city in Spain which fell in 1492.
The conquest of Granada was part of a larger plan known as the Reconquista

4. The Reconquista (cont.)
The rulers of Spain would set out on a mission of homogenizing Spain making all of its citizens Spanish and Christian to ease their rule.
The Reconquista → massive expeditions from coast to coast in Spain in which non-Christians were converted or expelled

5. The Inquisition
Non-Christians were forced to convert or go into exile.
Numerous individuals chose convert but were not just left alone.
The Inquisition → trials that were launched to ensure the converted were following Christian doctrine
Many were forced to confess if they had not been maintaining their conversion, usually via torture.

6. The Conquistadors
Conquistadors → leaders of troops that invaded South America
Believed that it was their mission to subdue the natives and Christianize them
It was their duty to civilize the 'savages'.

7. Mexico and Cortes
Hernando Cortes → initially was in Hispanola and believed that there was far more wealth in Mexico.
Mexico → large landmass that was home to many Native American tribes, also an area with a wealth of natural resources.

8. Why the Success?
Cortes encountered the Aztecs, a native American tribe that spanned Mexico and Central America with a capital known as Tenochitlan, and subdued them in two years.
Why did this happen?
Superior weapons
Belief that Cortes was Quetzacoatl
Use of neighboring groups that hated the Aztecs
Use of a translator to speak to other groups

9. Results
Cortes was able to convince Moctezuma (Aztec Emperor) that he was a god which aided his conquest.
Spanish troops would completely obliterate Aztec culture, erase much of their history by destroying temples and books, and build a new city on the site of Tenochitlan which would become Mexico City.

10. Conquest of the Mayas
Mayas → Native American group that was scattered after the 9th Century, were disjointed and held no major cities
Spanish would conquer the Mayas though it would prove to be more difficult since they were difficult to locate.

11. Pizarro and the Incas
Francisco Pizarro → Conquistador who led an expedition into South America to locate and conquer the Incas
Incas → massive South American empire that was considered to be the most advanced of the Native American groups in Central and South America

12. Why the Success?
Pizarro was able to subdue the Incas in a similar fashion as to that of Cortes and the Aztecs.
Why the Success?
Superior weapons
An opportune time, the Incas were embroiled in a civil war
Capture of the Incan Emperor, Atahulpa

13. New Spain The Spanish would begin to move in droves to New Spain.
New Spain → Central America, and portions of South America that had been colonized by the Spanish in the 16th Century

14. The Encomienda System
The Spanish would begin to set up plantations and large tracts of land that would be built upon the labor of the captured natives.
Started the Encomienda system.
Encomienda → large tract of land, usually a plantation.
In this system, people would be sold an encomienda and then could tax the peasants as they saw fit.
Used this system to force the natives to work in lieu of paying taxes
Led to massive abuse which would kill off many of the natives

15. Bartolome de las Casas
The Spanish saw it fit to Christianize the natives as a way of civilizing them and saving their souls.
Bartolome de las Casas → Spanish missionary who was appalled at the treatment of the natives and helped bring out a law that would prohibit slavery
This law would lead to the dubious practice of importing African slaves.

16. Brazil
The Portuguese would colonize Brazil in search of gold and other fine materials and resources.
Would establish their own plantations or feitorias (bases and warehouses used for trading).

17. Social Classes in the Colonies
Peninsulares
The Spanish or Portuguese colonists themselves. They are of pure blood and the highest class in the system
Creoles/Criollos
These are Spanish children born the colonies and exercise considerable power.
Mestizos
These are mixed blood children born to Spanish/Portuguese and native parents. They are considered upper-lower class.
Natives
The Native Americans made up the second to lowest class within the social structure
Mulattos
African slaves transported to the colonies, made up the lowest position in society.