The Spanish ConquestThe Spanish Conquest

Instructor PacasInstructor Pacas

Spanish HistorySpanish History

In 1492 the kingdoms of Spain successfully In 1492 the kingdoms of Spain successfully drove out the last Muslim kingdom of drove out the last Muslim kingdom of Granada.Granada.

The wealth of the united kingdoms The wealth of the united kingdoms transformed Spain into a superpower.transformed Spain into a superpower.

The Spanish kingdoms financed an Italian, The Spanish kingdoms financed an Italian, Christopher Columbus, to mount an expedition Christopher Columbus, to mount an expedition to circumnavigating the globe.to circumnavigating the globe.

Cont’dCont’d Columbus noticed the commercial potential of Columbus noticed the commercial potential of

exploiting the natives as slave labor.exploiting the natives as slave labor.

By 1508 the natives of the Caribbean islands By 1508 the natives of the Caribbean islands had almost completely been decimated had almost completely been decimated through slavery and war.through slavery and war.

Cont’dCont’d

Bartolomeo de Las Casas claims that between Bartolomeo de Las Casas claims that between 1494 – 1508 3,000,000 natives had died.1494 – 1508 3,000,000 natives had died.

The Catholic Church supported the Spanish The Catholic Church supported the Spanish colonization of the Americas.colonization of the Americas.

This enterprise filled the coffers from native This enterprise filled the coffers from native gold, silver and other precious materials, gold, silver and other precious materials, slaves, etc.slaves, etc.

The Spanish Conquest of AmericaThe Spanish Conquest of America

The Spanish established the system of The Spanish established the system of “Encomiendas.”“Encomiendas.”

Encomiendas- A local lord was granted land Encomiendas- A local lord was granted land and rights to the native labor force in exchange and rights to the native labor force in exchange for his protection.for his protection.

It was supposed to be a reciprocal agreement It was supposed to be a reciprocal agreement but in fact it became a system of slavery.but in fact it became a system of slavery.

The ConquestThe Conquest

o By the late 16th century Spanish had By the late 16th century Spanish had control of Mexico, Central and South control of Mexico, Central and South America.America.

o Spain had become a world super power by Spain had become a world super power by the late 16the late 16thth century. century.

What were some of the characteristics of What were some of the characteristics of Spanish colonization?Spanish colonization?

What were some reasons why the Spaniards were What were some reasons why the Spaniards were so successful in conquering the natives?so successful in conquering the natives?

What factors motivated Spanish colonization? What factors motivated Spanish colonization?

PrimogeniturePrimogeniture

Was Spanish colonial society exclusive or Was Spanish colonial society exclusive or inclusive: Did Spaniards intermarry with natives inclusive: Did Spaniards intermarry with natives and Africans or not? and Africans or not?

Cont’dCont’d

What sector of Spanish society did the What sector of Spanish society did the colonists belong to?colonists belong to?

The system of Encomiendas allowed The system of Encomiendas allowed Spaniards to become landowners (rise in Spaniards to become landowners (rise in society) i.e. nobility owing their wealth and society) i.e. nobility owing their wealth and position to the monarch.position to the monarch.