Spain Builds an Spain Builds an American EmpireAmerican Empire

Chapter 4Section 11492-1800

Main IdeasMain IdeasThe vast wealth to be had from

colonizing the Americas sealed the fate of millions of Native Americans and Africans who were forced to work in mines and on plantations.

Over the span of several centuries, Europeans conquered the Americas’ native inhabitants and built powerful American empires.

IntroductionIntroductionEuropeans were fiercely competing

for wealth in Asia.Such competition prompted

Christopher Columbus to embark on a daring voyage.

He attempted to reach Asia by sailing west.

Instead, his mistake became an event that would bring together the people of Europe, Africa and the Americas.

The Voyages of ColumbusThe Voyages of Columbus

Columbus left Spain on August 3, 1492.

On October 12th, he reached what he thought was an island in the East Indies.

He instead landed on an island in the Bahamas and claimed it for Spain.

First EncountersFirst Encounters“They accepted anything and gave what

they had with the utmost good will.”Columbus called the natives “Indians” and

named the land San Salvador or “Holy Savior”.

He found no gold. So, he began to island hop. Claiming each as he went along.

“It was my wish to bypass no island without taking possession.”

Three More TripsThree More TripsSpain’s rulers were so pleased

with the claims that they financed three more trips.

Columbus now became an “empire builder”.

Goal? Transform Caribbean islands into colonies.

Other Explorers Take Other Explorers Take to the Seasto the Seas

Amerigo Vespucci – traveled east coast of South America.◦ Reported that land was

a new world and not part of Asia.

◦ America was named after him.

Ferdinand Magellan – Traveled west around the world. Trip took three years. ◦ His crew was the first

to circumnavigate the world.

Spanish Conquests in MexicoSpanish Conquests in Mexico

Hernando Cortes – landed in Mexico in 1519.◦ Marched inland for

lands to claim for Spain.

Spanish explorers who followed were called conquistadors.

Spanish Conquests (cont.)Spanish Conquests (cont.)Conquistadors carved out areas

in South America, Mexico and the U.S.

Searching for gold and silver.Result?

◦Spain greatly enriched their empire and left a mark on many cultures of North and South America that exists today.

Cortes Conquers Cortes Conquers the Aztecsthe Aztecs

Cortes soon learned of the Aztec’s wealthy empire.

With his 600 men, he reached Tenochtitlan.

Aztec emperor, Montezuma II, thought Cortes was a god.◦ Gave Cortes gold.◦ Told Montezuma that he and

his men had a “disease of the heart that only gold can cure.”

Conquering the AztecsConquering the Aztecs

The harmony between the two groups did not last.

Cortes conquered the Aztecs in 1521.◦Weapons v. arrows◦Native assistance v.

Native resistance◦Immunity v. Diseases

Spanish Conquests Spanish Conquests in Peruin Peru

Francesco Pizarro – conquered Incas in South America in 1533.

Kidnapped Incan ruler, Atahualpa.

Incas paid a ransom of gold and silver but Inca ruler was killed anyway.

Spain’s Pattern of Conquest Spain’s Pattern of Conquest Spanish settlers in Americas

were mostly men.◦Relationships with native women.

Mestizo = mixedOppressed natives

◦Forced to work land for landlords – encomienda.

◦Abused natives and worked them to death, literally.

The Portuguese in BrazilThe Portuguese in BrazilBrazil had stayed outside of Spanish control.

No gold or silver → grow sugarEuropeans were demanding

large quantities of sugar.◦Colonists kept pushing west and

clearing more land for sugar.

Spain’s Influence ExpandsSpain’s Influence ExpandsSpain became the most powerful country in

the world in the 16th century due to its large empire.

Ships arrived home full of treasures.◦ Developed a great navy to protect ships.

Developed a good army, too.Expanded territory into the U.S.

Conquistadors Push NorthConquistadors Push North

Ponce de Leon claimed Florida for Spain in 1513.

Francisco Vasquez de Coronado explored as far north as Oklahoma and Kansas.◦ Helped colonize much of the

southwest U.S.Pedro de Peralta –

Catholic Priest◦ 1609-1610 – Explored the Rio

Grande River and established New Mexico and the city of Santa Fe.

◦ This area became the headquarters for advancing the Catholic religion.

Opposition to Spanish Opposition to Spanish RuleRule

Spanish priests pushed to spread Christianity to the Americas.

Wanted better treatment for Native Americans.

Priests criticized encomienda system.

African Slavery and Native African Slavery and Native ResistanceResistanceEncomienda system – abolished

1542.Alternative?

◦Africans.◦“The labor of one (African)….is more

valuable than that of four Indians”.This idea led to the Atlantic Slave Trade