The Spanish Invasion of 1492

Study Notes

The Spanish invasion of the Caribbean islands in 1492 initially involved three ships, causing astonishment among the indigenous inhabitants.
The Spanish explorers were initially disappointed by the lack of valuable resources.
Indigenous people were treated as "others" of less value.
Later Spanish expeditions to the Americas saw limited settlement due to financing issues and poor administration.
Columbus's administrative mistakes led to his removal as governor.
Spanish colonization efforts were influenced by the Reconquista of the Iberian Peninsula from the Muslims.
The Reconquista involved military conquest, religious crusade, and accumulating wealth.
The Roman Catholic Church played a crucial role in justifying Spanish conquests.
The need for financial support from the private sector drove the early Spanish expeditions.
The Spanish monarchy and nobility sought rewards and privileges for their service.
Only a small portion of the Spanish population was noble (about 10%).

Later voyages to the Americas dampened earlier optimistic spirits.
Limited settlement due to challenging expenses.
The desire to recoup investments motivated settlers.
The Spanish monarchy prioritised the nobility.
The commoners (about 90% of the population) held varied occupational roles, and lived in towns/cities.
Religious tolerance ended by the 1500s with expulsion of Jews and Muslims.
The Spanish economy was primarily agricultural (grain, sheep, olives, and wine).
Conquests like the Reconquista influenced cultural and religious justification for the New World conquests.
Indigenous labor (the encomienda system) played a crucial part once the Indigenous population diminished.
Disease was a key factor in the decline of the indigenous population.
Extensive trade in African slaves began after the indigenous peoples' population decreased.

Three ships sailed to Yucatán in 1517 to trade and find more Indians to enslave, but found higher-organized societies.
Encounters with the Yucatec people showed gold and human sacrifice.
Expeditions were financed by individuals, mostly Spanish nobles and commoners.
Cortés attracted men with promises of riches and glory.
Cortés's crew included sailors, Cuban natives, and some Africans.
He used the language skills of Jerónimo de Aguilar and Doña Marina (Malinche) to communicate with local people.
Marina's role was crucial as an interpreter and advisor for Cortés.
He used deception to enter and gain the support of Moctezuma's peoples.

Cortés and his army gained allies from the Totonacs, who were tired of Aztec oppression.
Cortés began to organize Indian resistance against the Aztecs.
Cortés established a Spanish settlement.
Important requests were sent to the Spanish crown to recognize the new settlement.
Measures were taken to control the settlement; the crown appointed officials.

Cortés was informed about the supposed intentions of the Cholulans of an attack on the Spaniards.
The massacre at Cholula led to an upheaval and a turning point for Moctezuma.
Moctezuma was initially hesitant to directly oppose Spanish forces.

Moctezuma hesitantly offered Cortés passage into the Aztec capital.
Moctezuma's reception of the Spaniards caused surprise due to his reluctance concerning their arrival.
Initial friendly and generous reception was evident from the various Aztec emissaries and their delegations.
The Aztecs' reception of the Spaniards was surprising due to their initial opposition and fear.

Cortés made plans for a water-based attack on Tenochtitlan in addition to a land-based assault.
Allied Indian warriors participated in the attack on Aztec peoples.
The destruction of Tenochtitlan signalled the end of the Aztec Empire.
The Spanish conquest of Tenochtitlan was aided by various factors, including Spanish weaponry, alliances, disease, and strategic maneuvering.

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