1. Colonial Rule (1500-1810) Mrs. Monugian Mexican-American Literature Fremont High School

2. Spain ruled Latin America for three centuries, 1500 to 1800.

3. The Causes ò What was the main purpose of Spanish colonies in the New World? Imperialism. That is, the colonies were supposed to provide raw materials to Spain and to purchase Spanish goods. ò From 1500 on, Europeans conquered countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. They turned them into colonies and controlled their economies.

4. What is Imperialism? ò A powerful country takes control of a weaker nation. ò The primary motive is economic - they wanted to make a profit. ò A colony existed for the sole benefit of the Mother Country.

5. What was the primary goal of Imperialism? ò not political control ò not cultural domination ò not racial superiority ò not missionary work ò These were goals of Imperialism, but not the PRIMARY goal. That honor goes to: economic exploitation

6. So, does Imperialism benefit the colonies? ò No, it harms them. ò As a result of imperialism, they have: no self-government distortion of the culture no human rights no industrialization ò The Europeans did build roads, bridges and railroads in their colonies. But only to obtain raw materials.

7. The Results ò What were the results of European imperialism?

8. Economics = Underdevelopment ò During the colonial period, Spain stunted the economic development of Latin America. Colonies were encouraged to produce raw materials and cash crops. Colonies were discouraged from building modern factories. ò What vision did Spain have for Latin America? farming and mining no factories, no industrialization ò During the colonial period, the labor system was the encomienda system. ò It provided a steady labor supply (of Amerindians) for the mines and plantations.

9. Politics = Political control by wealthy landowners ò In a farming and mining country, land is everything. ò Under the Spanish, land was distributed unequally: all the land to a small elite. no land to the majority. ò The landless had zero economic and political power. ò Power was concentrated in a small group of landowners. ò They controlled both the politics and the economy.

10. Military… played a major role in politics ò When a tiny minority rules over an overwhelming majority, two things happen: the majority is always discontent, ready to revolt. the minority desperately needs the army. ò The army kept a lid on society. ò The general and the captain become exceedingly powerful.

11. Religion: The Catholic Church was very powerful ò Three hundred years of Spanish rule (1500-1800) guaranteed that the elite would dominate everything in Latin America - from the politics and economy to religion and social life. ò Spain, the most Catholic country of Europe, made sure Latin America was very Catholic as well. ò At one and the same time, the church supported the Spanish regime and its economic exploitation - the encomienda system. expressed concern over the mistreatment of Native Americans.

12. Social structure – A rigid class system ò In every Latin American country, the society was a pyramid: The tiny land owning elite A small (almost invisible) middle class The giant landless !