Transcript Chapter 2
Chapter 2 Section 3 Spanish conquistadors Conquistadors-soldiers who led military expeditions in the Americas Hernan Cortes-sailed to present day Mexico, he had heard of a wealthy land ruled by Moctezuma II Aztec Empire Moctezeuma was the ruler of the Aztec Empire-it’s height of power was in the early 1500’s. Tenochtitlan-capital, built in the middle of Lake Texcoco ( near present day Mexico City). Buildings and riches impressed Spanish Aztec Warriors Thousands of warriors Cortes has 508 soldiers, 100 sailors, 16 horses, and some guns Cortes makes allies with the Aztec enemies Tries to be friends with Aztecs as a ploytakes over Many Aztecs killed by smallpox and disease weakening the empire. Conquest of the Inca Empire Francisco Pizarro-Spanish conquistador – Heard rumors about the Inca cities in South America ( Chile to Ecuador) Had less than 400 men in his army Inca weapons no match for guns Captured the Inca capital-Cuzco Killed the Inca leaders Results of Spanish Conquistadors Inca Empire destroyed Aztec Empire destroyed ¾ of all Aztec and Inca populations killed by diseases the Europeans brought Much of the riches looted and lost Spanish Settlements New Spain- the Spanish settlements in the Americas Most emigrants were Spanish- Jewish, Muslims and non-Christians forbidden to settle in New Spain Most emigrants were men, ¼ of total emigration were women Spanish Rule in Americas Ruled by a system of royal officials Council of the Indies –top officials in Spain Two Viceroys ( royal governors)-appointed by Council to govern in Americas Viceroyalty of Peru-governed most of South America Viceroyalty of New Spain governed all Spanish territory in Central America and southern part of US Settlements in New Spain Pueblos-trading posts and sometimes central government Missions- settled by priests to convert Native Americans to Catholicism Presidios- military bases to protect towns and missions “El Camino Real”-The Royal Road ran hundreds of miles from Mexico City to Santa Fe Exploring the Southeast Juan Ponce de Leon- landed in Puerto Rico in 1508 Conquered the island and founded the city of San Juan Discovered gold in Puerto Rico and was appointed governor of the colony Search in Florida for fountain of youthnever found Hernando de Soto Traveled through Florida Explored the Gulf of Mexico 1539-landed in present day Tampa Bay Traveled north through Georgia and Carolinas across Appalachian Mtns. 1541 discovered Mississippi River 1542 died after traveling into Oklahoma Exploring the Southwest De Vaca(1528) and 300 men landed in Florida Traveled around Florida and eventually around the coast to the Mississippi River Ship wrecked and 4 people survived including slave Estevanico Captured and enslaved for 6 years Escaped and returned to Spain-wrote a book and called for better treatment of Native Americans Francisco Vasquez de Cornado Wanted to find the legendary 7 cities of gold in Southwest America Discovered the Grand Canyon Went through Kansas and Oklahoma Never found the cities of gold Spanish settlements Spain grew rich from the gold/treasure of Native Americans and grew food in South America 3-4 million people lived here 80% of the population was Native American Treatment of Native Americans Peninsulares-people who came from Spain to Americas – Held high government positions Encomienda System-gave settlers the right to tax Native Americans or make them work in exchange, the settlers were supposed to protect them and convert them to Christianity Treatment cont.Most Spanish treated the Native Americans like slaves Forced to work in terrible conditions Spanish plantations-grew one kind of crop and were labor intensive Haciendas-vast Spanish estates that grew cash crops~forced Native Americans to work Forced to mine gold and silver Role of the Catholic Church Spanish king commanded they convert Native Americans to Christianity Bartolommeo de Las Casa-protested the treatment of Native Americans ~ said could only convert people with love and kindness