Overview of Spanish Exploration and Settlement

Spanish voyages to the Americas, starting with Columbus, seeking trade routes and new territory.

Columbus's initial journey across the Atlantic, landing in the Bahamas.

The financial backing provided by Isabella of Castile (Spain) to enable Christopher Columbus's voyages.

Columbus's interactions with the native inhabitants of the Caribbean islands.

Competition between Spain and Portugal for control of trade routes and newly discovered territories.

The assertions of Spanish ownership of the territories they explored and settled.

Spanish conquerors who established control throughout parts of the Americas following initial exploration.

Spaniards who explored and claimed land in Central and South America.

The Spanish takeover of the island of Cuba marking a crucial step in early Spanish expansion in the Americas.

Ferdinand Magellan's expedition to circumnavigate the globe with Spanish sponsorship.

Spanish subjugation of the Aztec Empire led by Hernan Cortes.

Cortes's arrival and beginning of the Mexican conquest.

Major battles and strategies employed during the overthrow of the Aztecs ultimately resulting in a Spanish victory in 1521.

Cortes's leadership and strategic choices during the conquest.

The results of the Spanish conquest on the Aztec people and their civilization.

Francisco Pizarro's early explorations and claims to the area in Panama.

Pizarro's conquest and control of the Inca Empire in Peru.

Pizarro's landing in Peru marking the beginning of the Inca conquest.

The Spanish takeover of the Inca Empire led by Francisco Pizarro.

Spaniards continue to extend their territory and political control across the Americas

Significant silver deposits found in Bolivia and Mexico.

The effects of the Americas on Spain.

The methods of administrating the vast new Spanish territories.

Establishment of the city of La Paz in 1548.

The major role of precious metals in enriching Spain and facilitating trade.

The effects of trade between Spain and the New World.

Pizarro, despite agreeing to ransom Atahuallpa, accused him of treason and executed him in Cajamarca in 1533, despite pleas from Inca supporters.

Pizarro installed Manco, Atahuallpa's half-brother, as the new Inca emperor, intending to use him as a puppet to control the Inca Empire.

Manco escaped Pizarro's control and led an Inca revolt against the Spanish in 1536, attacking their base at Cuzco.

From 1536 to 1537, Inca warriors besieged the Spanish in Cuzco, burning buildings and using traditional warfare tactics.

The Spanish, despite being outnumbered, used cavalry and fire suppression tactics to defend Cuzco during the siege.

After the siege, Pizarro consolidated his control over Peru, establishing Lima as the capital, and exploiting Peru's resources.

After the siege, Manco established a separate Inca kingdom, the Neo Inca State, which lasted until 1572.

The Inca Empire was settled by Spaniards, and diseases decimated the Inca population by 93% by 1591.

Conquistadors sought gold and silver in the New World, fueling explorations and discoveries.

Silver was discovered in Potosi (Bolivia) and Guanajuato & Zacatecas (Mexico) by 1550.

Deep mines were dug to extract silver ore, which was then smelted to produce silver coins.

Silver mining created towns like Potosi, Guanajuato, and Zacatecas, initially camps that grew into settlements.

Silver discoveries fueled rumors of vast wealth like El Dorado, encouraging further exploration.

Silver attracted adventurers, merchants, and speculators, leading to increased colonization in the New World.

Silver bullion from the mines enriched Spain's government, with 25% going directly to the treasury.

Spain needed to control its colonies to ensure it received its share of silver wealth.

The Spanish government needed to establish effective governance in their newly conquered territories in the Americas. This involved establishing laws, managing daily life, rewarding conquistadors, and maintaining peace.

A Spanish priest who witnessed the brutality of conquistadors in Cuba and became a vocal advocate for the rights of Indigenous people. He wrote a book condemning their mistreatment and persuaded King Charles I to enact the New Laws.

Enacted by King Charles I in 1542, they aimed to improve the lives of Indigenous people by outlawing enslavement, limiting tribute collection, and returning land to the Spanish government after an encomendero's death.

High-ranking officials appointed by the Spanish Council of the Indies to govern Spanish territories in the New World. They had great power and oversaw the administration of justice and daily life.

Town councils responsible for managing daily life in Spanish-controlled cities and towns. They dealt with local affairs and worked under the authority of the viceroys.

Courts that handled legal matters in the Spanish colonies and were independent from the viceroys, ensuring a degree of fairness in justice.

A system where a Spaniard was granted land and Indigenous workers by the Crown, demanding tribute and ensuring conversion to Christianity. Encomenderos were responsible for defending their territory and had to prevent exploitation of their workers.

The encomienda system was designed as a way to both reward conquistadors and control the Indigenous population through forced labor and conversion to Christianity. Encomenderos were expected to protect their workers and pay for religious instruction.

Seville became one of the wealthiest cities in Europe by 1550 due to its monopoly over trade with the New World, making its merchants very rich.

The Casa de Contratacion was a Spanish government body that controlled all trade between Spain and its colonies in the New World. It collected taxes, regulated trade, and made sure Spanish merchants had a monopoly.

This merchants' guild, formed by Spanish merchants, gained a monopoly over trade with the New World. They effectively controlled prices and gained huge profits.

In the Americas, the native population was decimated by diseases and overwork, leading to a labour shortage. This demand for workers created rising wages.

Due to the labour shortage, African slaves were brought to the New World to work on plantations and in mines. This became a major source of income for Spanish merchants.

This treaty divided the world between Spain and Portugal, limiting Spanish access to African slaves.

Licences granted by the Spanish government to merchants, allowing them to buy slaves from the Portuguese and sell them in the New World.

A 20% tax levied by the Spanish government on all precious metals mined in the New World. This was a significant source of income for Spain.

Eight-sided silver coins minted by Spain from New World treasure, used for trade with other European countries.

Rising prices in Spain caused by the influx of silver, as demand for goods increased and merchants raised prices to profit from increased demand for their products.

Groups of ships carrying silver from the New World to Spain, protected by armed galleons to defend against pirates and privateers.

Privateers, funded by hostile governments, attacked Spanish treasure fleets for profit.

The port city of Seville was a major hub for trade with the New World, with all goods required to pass through the Casa de Contratacion (House of Trade).

Spain held exclusive control over trade with its colonies in the New World, benefiting Spanish merchants and the government.

Spain's reliance on silver led to slower development of other industries, as people focused on the silver wealth rather than other economic activities.

Spain's control over the New World trade caused labor shortages, leading to an increase in the slave trade.

The Casa granted licenses for voyages, administered trade rules, and kept secret information about trade routes and new discoveries. This gave Spain complete control over all trade with its colonies, ensuring that only Spanish merchants could participate. They also maintained a secret map, known as the Padrón Real, which was updated as new land was discovered.

This council, formed in 1524, was based in Spain and controlled all matters relating to the New World. It reviewed messages from viceroys, made recommendations to the king, and issued decisions back to the colonies. This was an attempt by the Spanish government to maintain control over its empire.

The Council of the Indies was based far away in Spain, and communication could take months to reach the colonies. This meant that the viceroys, stationed in the New World, had a great deal of autonomy and often made decisions without consulting the council. The Spanish government struggled to balance the need for control with the reality of distance.

This secret map was created by the Casa de Contratacion in 1508 to keep track of trade routes and new land discoveries. It was updated as new territory was claimed, ensuring that Spain maintained a monopoly on navigation and trade. It was a key element in Spain's strategy to control its burgeoning empire.