Lecture Notes: The Spanish Century and Colonial History of the Americas

Medieval European Context

• Superstition and Religion:
  • Medieval Europe was heavily influenced by superstition with belief in God and the devil playing active roles in human affairs.
  • Salvador Dali's painting on Columbus highlights the Christian mysticism of the era.
  • Europeans believed in demons capable of possessing entire nations.

Codex Gigas (The Devil's Bible)

• First known color image of Satan in European art.
• Believed to be created by a hermit monk over decades.
• Represents the struggle between good (God) and evil (Satan).

The Crusades and Reconquista

• Europeans were familiar with the concept of holy war.
• The New World was seen as another battleground against evil.

Spanish Colonization

• Religious Motivation:
  • Viewed as crusaders, aiming to convert the New World.
  • Saw native peoples as minions of the devil.
• Colonial Impact:
  • Diseases decimated native populations, seen as divine intervention.
  • The Columbian Exchange introduced new crops and animals, impacting both worlds.

Ecological and Demographic Changes

• Introduction of European livestock and plants altered American landscapes.
• Native populations were drastically reduced by diseases.

Indigenous Resilience and Adaptation

• Native peoples adapted European tools and animals (e.g., horses by Plains Indians).
• Became integral to European colonial strategies as allies and trading partners.

Spanish Imperial Administration

• Vice Royalties:
  • New Spain: Mexico, Central America, Caribbean.
  • Peru: All South America except Brazil.
• Economic Wealth:
  • Heavy mining of gold and silver by native and African slave labor.
  • Inflation resulted from an influx of silver into Europe.

Slave Trade

• African slaves were brought to fill labor shortages caused by native population decline.
• The Middle Passage was a horrific journey marked by inhuman conditions.

European Rivalries and Piracy

• Spanish dominance led to piracy by other Europeans (e.g., Francis Drake).
• English victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588 weakened Spain.

Spanish and Pueblo Relations

• Missionary Activities:
  • Franciscans demanded cultural conformity.
  • Oppression led to resentment and eventual Pueblo Revolt.
• Pueblo Revolt of 1680:
  • Coordinated rebellion against Spanish rule, destroying missions and killing colonists.
  • Temporary success but internal conflicts weakened the Pueblo unity.

Aftermath and Compromise

• Spanish regained control under Diego de Vargas in 1692-93.
• Pueblo learned to compromise with Spanish, reducing tensions.

Next session will cover French and Dutch colonial experiences in North America.