Reading Questions
Objective #1 : Explain how the Spanish expanded, consolidated power and maintained their empire.
Objective #2: Identify and explain the effects of the development of state power from 1450-1750
Explain the role of the state in Spanish maritime exploration during the period of 1450-1750?
What was the initial impact of Columbus' voyages on Natives?
Explain how were the Spanish able to conquer large empires like the Inca and Aztec
Explain the following administrative techniques used by the Spanish to centralize power:
centralized rule
colonies
racial hierarchy
catholic church
encomiendas/haciendas
roads and ports
standardized currency
Explain the Causes and Effects of the Pueblo Revolt.
Objective #2: Identify and explain the effects of the development of state power from 1450-1750
Explain the role of the state in Spanish maritime exploration during the period of 1450-1750?
What was the initial impact of Columbus' voyages on Natives?
Explain how were the Spanish able to conquer large empires like the Inca and Aztec
Explain the following administrative techniques used by the Spanish to centralize power:
centralized rule
colonies
racial hierarchy
catholic church
encomiendas/haciendas
roads and ports
standardized currency
Explain the Causes and Effects of the Pueblo Revolt.
The Spanish origins expansion and conquest
La Reconquista
For 700 years the Iberian Peninsula had been under the control of the Muslims. In 1492 Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand were able to expand defeating the final Muslim strong hold in the southern part of the Peninsula in Granada. Once again the Peninsula was under Christian Control. Next step was to expand but towards the sea. In 1488, the Portuguese with the sponsorship of the monarchs had navigated around Africa reaching India. This motivated the Spanish Queen and King also to sponsor Christopher Columbus, who theorized that he could go west and find an all-sea route to the Asian goods market. Historians use a standard shorthand, “Gold, God, and Glory,” to describe the motives for the overseas exploration, expansion, and conquests that allowed various European powers, including the Spanish to rise to power from 1450 to 1750.
For 700 years the Iberian Peninsula had been under the control of the Muslims. In 1492 Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand were able to expand defeating the final Muslim strong hold in the southern part of the Peninsula in Granada. Once again the Peninsula was under Christian Control. Next step was to expand but towards the sea. In 1488, the Portuguese with the sponsorship of the monarchs had navigated around Africa reaching India. This motivated the Spanish Queen and King also to sponsor Christopher Columbus, who theorized that he could go west and find an all-sea route to the Asian goods market. Historians use a standard shorthand, “Gold, God, and Glory,” to describe the motives for the overseas exploration, expansion, and conquests that allowed various European powers, including the Spanish to rise to power from 1450 to 1750.
The New World
Isabella and Ferdinand funded 3 caravels in 1492. Christopher Columbus and his crew began traveling west. Once in America, he believed he had arrived in some place in the East. Columbus was made governor but would later be stripped of the title for brutality and mismanagement. News of Columbus’ voyages quickly spread through Europe prompting exploration by other European powers like France and England. The first permanent settlement was Santo Domingo Island of the Dominican Republic. At the time, the Islands were inhabited by the Taino people. Historians estimate that the Islands had a population of approximately 3 million. The Spanish would easily overpower the Taino natives enslaving them. Although diseases like smallpox killed 90% of all Natives, there were also other biological exchanges and consequences. We will discuss those in the section of The Columbian Exchange. |
Conquest of the Aztec and Inca
By 1510 the Spanish were looking to expand toward the mainland in America. In 1519, Spanish conquistador Hernando Cortez landed in what is now Mexico. Because of gunpowder weapons like the harquebus, steel weapons like the rapier, alliances with natives, but most importantly disease, the Spanish were able to conquer the Aztecs. With the new found wealth and natural resources, Spain was able to fund more expansion in the Americas southward. Similarly, Francisco Pizarro conquered the Inca in South America. Once the expansion to the America’s was complete, the Spanish went on to establish and administer colonies. |
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Administration
Centralized rule
Spain, like most states at the time, was ruled by a king (centralized ruler). The king ruled from the capital at Madrid where the government decides how they will fund the royal family, the military and public works like roads, ports, churches, etc The riches of the Americas allowed Spain to also fund a large navy that was equipped with gunpowder cannons. The Spanish Armada enabled Spain to become the strongest seabased empire of the period. |
Colonies:
The strength of their army and navy also allowed Spain to establish colonies- Colonies are territories controlled by an overseas government. The Spanish demanded their colonial subjects to pay taxes, send raw materials (natural resources) to Spain and be obedient to the Crown and government. The Spanish also divided the Americas into two provinces ruled by Viceroys. The Spanish administrators (Viceroys) were sent to the colonies to maintain stability over the subjects, enforce Spanish laws, organize the local military troops and public works. Administrators did employ some natives to help govern the colonies, however, the white Spaniards received better and more powerful government positions than the non-white government workers |
Racial Hierarchy:
In order to justify Spain’s rule over their subjects, the Spanish introduced the idea of a hierarchy based on race. The Spanish argued the white race was “pure,” which justifies why they have the most power. Thus, the Spaniards were able to achieve high ranked government positions while non- white subjects had limitations in both power and job opportunities. |
Catholic Church:
Due to their racist mindset, the Spanish believed their Christian faith could “civilize” their conquered subjects. The natives were forced to convert to the Catholic Church. The Spanish built cathedrals and churches in their colonies, which united the empire through a common religion. As a result, Christianity diffused to the Americas and the Philippines. Encomienda System:
This labor system used Native Americans to grow crops on haciendas or large plantations. Spanish landowners provided food, shelter and lessons about Christianity and the Spanish language in exchange for the natives’ labor. The native were overworked and harshly punished or killed if they resisted. Many historians argue the encomienda system was a form of slave labor. |
Roads and Ports:
Building ports and roads within the colonies helped connect the overseas empire. Spanish ships called Manila Galleons sailed from port to port, transporting troops, raw materials to Spain and manufactured goods to the colonies’ markets. The ports in the Philippines were essential to trading with China. |