Overview
This lecture covers the Spanish colonization of the Americas, focusing on their motivations, social systems, labor practices, and the impact on Native Americans.
Spanish Colonization: Regions and Motivations
- Spanish colonies included Florida, the American Southwest, Mexico, Central and South America.
- Spanish imperial motivations were summarized as "God, glory, and gold."
- The Reconquista influenced Spanish expansionist mindset towards conquest beyond Spain.
Conquistadors and Empire Building
- Conquistadors (Spanish for "conquerors") led invasions and established control over native civilizations.
- Hernán Cortés conquered the Aztec Empire and captured its capital, Tenochtitlán (modern Mexico City).
- Spanish colonial reach included a significant portion of what is now the United States.
Social Hierarchy and Caste System
- Social rank depended on bloodline (pedigree) and birthplace.
- Peninsulares: full-blooded Spanish born in Spain, top of the hierarchy.
- Creoles: full-blooded Spanish born in the colonies, lower than peninsulares.
- Mixed ancestry individuals (Mestizos) ranked below Creoles.
Labor Systems and Native Treatment
- The Encomienda was a forced labor system exploiting Native Americans.
- Bartolomé de las Casas, a Dominican priest, protested abuses under encomienda and influenced reforms.
- "The Black Legend" refers to exaggerated accounts of Spanish cruelty toward Native Americans.
Spanish Missions and Evangelism
- Missions aimed to assimilate Natives: teach Spanish, convert to Christianity, and integrate into colonial life.
- Mission settlements served religious, economic, and defensive community functions (e.g., Mission San Juan Capistrano).
- Spanish approach encouraged Natives to "follow" their ways rather than lead or be pushed aside.
Summary Chart: Spanish Colonies
- Colonized regions: Mexico, California, SW U.S., Florida.
- Key actors: Conquistadors and priests.
- Key economic activity: Conquest/forced labor (encomienda).
- Settlement type: Missions, few large cities.
- Goals: Wealth extraction, Indian labor, and evangelism.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Reconquista — Spanish "reconquest" of territory from Muslims, influencing later colonialism.
- Conquistador — A Spanish conqueror in the Americas.
- Encomienda — System of forced native labor for Spanish benefit.
- Peninsulares — Full-blooded Spaniards born in Spain.
- Creoles — Full-blooded Spaniards born in the colonies.
- Mestizos — People of mixed European and Native ancestry.
- Black Legend — Narrative exaggerating Spanish cruelty to Native Americans.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review vocabulary: encomienda, conquistador, peninsulares, Creoles, Mestizos, Black Legend.
- Study Spanish colonial regions and social systems for upcoming exam or discussion.