Lecture Notes on Spanish Colonization and Native American Encounters

Introduction

Imagining alien encounters reflects historical encounters (e.g., Native Americans and Spanish).
Columbus's arrival in 1492 sparked interest in the New World and riches.

By 1494, Spain and Portugal sought to divide riches from the Old and New Worlds.
Conquistadors explored the Americas for:
- Gold: Wealth accumulation.
- Glory: National prestige and personal fame.
- God: Spread of Catholicism to Native peoples.

Conquest of Mexico: Focus on Hernan Cortes and Tenochtitlan.
- Aztec Empire ruled over many tribes causing resentment.
- In 1519, Cortes landed with 600 men in Veracruz.
- Gained support from Native Americans discontent with Aztecs (approx. 20,000 allies).
- Tenochtitlan: 200,000-300,000 inhabitants; advanced city with gardens, aqueducts, and pyramids.
- Moctezuma II: Initially welcoming, showered Spaniards with gifts.

Relations soured quickly due to:
- Spanish brutality.
- Spread of smallpox, devastating Native populations.
- By 1521, Tenochtitlan lay in ruins, and Mexico City was established on its ruins.

Encomienda: Labor system resembling feudalism and slavery.
- Spanish crown granted landholders (encomenderos) rights to Native labor.
- Encomenderos were supposed to protect and Christianize Native Americans.
- In practice, it was akin to slavery with harsh treatment.
- Population decline from approx. 20 million to 2 million by 1600.
- Spanish began importing African slaves due to the severe decline of Native populations.

Resistance varied:
- Subtle Resistance: Adopting Christianity while retaining Native beliefs (syncretism).
- Pueblo Revolt (1680): Led by Pope, revolt due to forced religious conversion and punishment.
  - Resulted in killing Spanish priests and reclaiming Native spiritual practices.
  - Spanish took 50 years to reconquer, adopting a more accommodating approach to Pueblo society.

Unique mixing of cultures led to the development of a racial caste system in the New World.
Spanish men formed relationships with Native and African women, creating a diverse society.
Casta System: Ranked individuals based on Spanish ancestry.
- Criollos: Pure Spanish blood at the top.
- Mestizo: Mixed Native and Spanish heritage.
- Mulatto: Mixed European and African heritage.
This caste system assigned legal status based on race, contrasting with how English settlers treated Native Americans.

Spanish approach aimed to incorporate and enslave Native peoples, while English settlers pursued eradication.