Spain Builds an Spain Builds an American Empire American Empire Chapter 4 Section 1 1492-1800
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