Spain in the Americas

 

The Spanish Conquest

 

�      Late 1400s, Early 1500s:� Exploring the Caribbean

�      Starting the �Columbian Exchange� of Plants, Animals & Germs

 

�      The Conquistadores & the Great Civilizations

�      Private �Conquerors� Looking for Power, Riches

�      Helped by Germs, Horses, Metal Weapons, & Divisions Within & Between Native Societies

�      Aztecs Conquered by Hernando Cort�s

�      Incas Conquered by Francisco Pizarro

�      Maya Resistance Continued for Years

 

�        Spanish Monarchs Soon Assert As Much Control as They Can

Spanish Empire

 

�      In Theory, Tightly Controlled, esp in

�      Religion (Censorship, Inquisition, �Missions�)

�      Trade (Supposed to Trade only with Spain)

�      Governed at Top by Spanish Priests, Officials, Paid Regular Salaries & Frequently Transferred

�      In Reality, Distance led to Some Autonomy

 

�      Multi-Racial

�      Europeans, Indians, African Slaves

�      Over Time, Large Mixed-Race Population

 

�      Profitable for Spanish

�      Huge Wealth from Mines

�      Indians Laboring on Farms, Ranches

 

�      Disaster for Indians

 

Early English Interest in the AMericas

 

England slow to act in the Americas

 

�       Early exploration, some fishing

�       English distracted by Reformation

�       �Protestants� break with Roman Catholic Church, starting w/Martin Luther in Germany

 

Reformation in England:� Mid-1500s

 

�       England becomes Protestant when Henry VIII makes himself head of �Church of England� (Anglican Church)

 

�       �Followers of John Calvin think changes not enough

�       Known in England as �Puritans�

�       Believed:

�       Humans born evil since �fall� in Garden of Eden

�       Salvation from �grace� alone (not works)

�       Bible, not any church, the final authority

�       Simple churches, ministers not priests

�       Only the �elect� to be full church members

�       The �elect� should reform the world

�       Tolerated by Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603)

 

France also divided, but Stays Catholic

English turn again to the Americas

 

�       Later 1500s

�       Copying (& stealing from) Spanish

�       Failed colonizing expeditions incl. Walter Raleigh�s at Roanoke (1585-90)

�       Failures & expense Elizabeth � losing interest

�       Interest revives under her successor, James I