Spain Builds an American Empire

Mr. Morris World History Spain Builds an American Empire

Key Terms Ch. 20.1 pg. 553 • Christopher Columbus • Colony • Hernando Cortes • Conquistador • Francisco Pizarro • Encomienda

Setting the Stage • Many European nations started expanding into Asia to increase their power • Christopher Columbus left Spain in 1492 trying to find a new route to Asia • Wound up in the Caribbean

The Voyages of Columbus • In August of 1492, Christopher Columbus left Spain at dawn • Crew in the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria

First Encounters • When Columbus reached the shore, he thought he was in the Indies • Called the people Indians • Landed at San Salvador – “Holy Savior” • Began to look for gold, searching many islands and claiming them for Spain in the process • When Columbus returned, the people were amazed at what he said and financed more trips to establish colonies

Other Explorers Take to the Seas • As more countries sponsored trips to this “new world,” parts of the Americas were divided between many European nations • Named America to honor Amerigo Vespucci • Later, Ferdinand Magellan left Spain and his crew sailed around the world over three years • Magellan died, only 18 of 250 men returned to Spain

Spanish Conquests in Mexico • After conquering several islands, the Spanish turned their sights to the American mainland • Hernando Cortes sailed to Mexico looking for riches and gold • Men he led were called conquistadors (conquerors) • Spanish were the first American settlers, making their countries rich and leaving an impact in America

Cortes Conquers the Aztecs • After Cortes landed, he marched to Mexico’s interior and met with the Aztec people • Reached the capital city of Tenochtitlan, where Montezuma II, the emperor, accepted Cortes as a god • Eventually, tensions began to mount between the Aztecs and the Spanish • Back and forth fighting between the two

Cortes Conquers the Aztecs • Eventually, Cortes’ forces defeated the Aztecs • Spanish had better weapons (guns & cannons > arrows) • Cortes convinced other tribes in the area to join him in his fight against the Aztecs • European diseases killed many native people because they had never been exposed to them

Pizarro Subdues the Inca • Francisco Pizarro of Spain led another force into South America • Army of 200 defeated several thousand Inca during an ambush and they kidnapped Atahualpa, the Incan ruler • Atahualpa offered gold & silver for his release • After the Spanish received his promised treasure, they strangled the ruler • Eventually conquered all Incan lands

Spain’s Pattern of Conquest • After Spain conquered a region, men would come in and settle it • Lots of children of mixed heritage • Native people were treated much like slaves and forced to do work for Spanish landlords

The Portuguese in Brazil • Portugal held on to Brazil and kept it out of Spanish hands • No gold, started sugar plantations • High demand for sugar in Europe, business thrived and more plantations were built farther inland

Spain’s Influence Expands • Spain became the most powerful nation in the world thanks to riches from the American colonies • In order to protect their possessions, Spain created a stronger military

Conquistadors Push North • Spanish eventually made it to modern day America in their travels • Claimed Florida and the American Southwest (AZ, NM, TX) for Spain • No gold, so Catholic priests were sent to the area to gain converts to Catholicism • Capital in Santa Fe – “Holy Faith”

Opposition to Spanish Rule • Spanish priests argued that native people should be treated more humanely • Said that the encomienda system was cruel and should be abolished

African Slavery and Native Resistance • Eventually, the encomienda system was abolished • In order to fill the gap that was left, some suggested African slavery • During this period, native people began to resist Spanish rule • Tried to fight them off but it was not successful

Spain Builds an American Empire