Spanish and Portuguese Colonies in the Americas Chapter 15 Section 2

Ruling the Spanish Empire Settler and missionaries established colonies in the new land Split their land into 4 provinces including Mexico and Peru Wanted strict control through Council of the Indies (passed colonial laws) Viceroys: ruled in the king’s name Helped by advisory councils

Spreading Christianity New converts were as important as new land Franciscans, Jesuits, and other missionaries worked to win support for the Catholic King of Spain Forced European culture on the Native Americans Clothing, Spanish language, new crafts (locksmith, carpentry)

Controlling Trade Silver and gold were the most valuable resources Colonists could only sell and buy with Spain

Encomienda- System of Forced Labor Used to force Native Americans to work on plantations or in mines If they resisted they were killed Not treated well on the plantations Took the treasure back to Spain Replaced the Natives easily when they died

Spanish Priest Speaks Out Bartolome de Las Casas was against the encomienda system Reported to the King what he saw New Laws-passed by Spain No enslavement of Native Americans Weren’t enforced Natives became Peons Forced to work off “debts” The landlord gave them food, tools or seeds that made it impossible for them to work off

Bringing Workers From Africa Las Casas suggested workers from Africa Regretted it because it furthered the slave trade 1530s slaves were brought Field hands, miners, or servants Could buy their freedom Ran away

?? What was the encomienda system? A system of forced labor. Native Americans were forced into this.

Colonial Cultural Blending Mix of people (Native Americans, Africans, Europeans) Buildings were affected, food, transportation, religion, animals Farming methods and crops Dances & songs

A Layered Society Distinct social classes Peninsulares- people born in Spain Creoles-American born descendants of Spanish settlers Mestizos- Native American and European decent Mulattoes-African and European decent

Towns and Cities Spanish lived in cities and towns 1550 Mexico City was the largest Spanish speaking city in the world In the center= the church Public monuments Centers of intellectual and cultural life Architecture, painting, and poetry were important

Education Church needed educated priests University of Mexico Women could go to convents Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz- one of the greatest poets to write in the Spanish language

?? What was the role of the Church in colonial education? They pushed for it because they needed educated priests.

Portuguese Set Up Brazil 1494 Treaty of Tordesillas claimed it Tupian Indians had been wiped out by disease 1530 gave land to nobles Developed land and shared profits with the crown No instant wealth in Brazil Brazilwood: used to produce dye Africans and Native Americans were used to clear land

Challenging Portugal and Spain Were the most powerful countries English, Dutch, and French were jealous Used smugglers to get around control over trade Pirates took treasure ships Privateers were even sponsored by European governments

?? What was Brazil’s economy based on? Brazilwood, agriculture, and raising cattle