AP CHAPTER 2When Worlds

Collide 1492-1590

Columbus Reaches the Americas

Reconquista- centuries long struggle by the Spanish to defeat the Muslims

During the Reconquista the Spanish became very good at conquest and plundering

1492- Christopher Columbus led an expedition westward looking for a shorter route to Asia

Columbus’s goal was to expand the power of the Spanish Empire

He explored parts of Cuba and Hispaniola and reported back on his discovery

Soon many larger expeditions were sent to the Americas

Invasion of the Americas

Columbus’s successors established the Encomienda system which forced the natives into slave labor

Reports of gold led the Spanish to explore parts of North and Central America

Hernando Cortes defeated the Aztecs in 1519

Social Structure

Peninsular

Creoles

Mestizos

Native Americans

Slaves

Destruction of the Indies

The Spanish were easily able to defeat the Native Americans because of superior weapons and diseases

Spanish were criticized for the treatment of the Native Americans

Some estimate that over 20 million Native Americans died as a result of the Spanish conquest

Further Expansion in the Americas

Ponce de Leon- was the first Spanish conquistador to extend his power into North America by exploring modern day Florida.

Treaty of Tordesillas (1494)- treaty dividing the America’s between Spain and Portugal

Spain dominated central and South America

Northern Exploration and Encounters

John Cabot- was the 1st successful explorer in N. America and reached Labrador in 1497.

Capt. Cartier tried to locate a Northwest Passage which eventually allowed the French to lay claim to the lands in Canada

Beginning in the 16th Century the fur trade played a huge role in the economy of N. America for three centuries

Fur Trade led to competition among the Native American tribes and warfare broke out over hunting grounds.

First Colonies

Huguenots were the leaders behind the first French attempt to establish colonies in N. America

English settlements were driven primarily by economic motives

Francis Drake (England)- began launching raids against the Spanish in the New World

Conclusion

The Spanish opened up the exploration of the America’s with Columbus’s voyage

Natives suffered disastrous consequences

Spain, England, France and Portugal all began competing for colonies.