Age of Exploration: Conquests and Colonies Mr. Snell HRHS

Spain builds an Empire! Countries in Europe scrambled to establish colonies in the Americas. Spanish were most successful, conquering the native Aztecs and Incas.

Spain in the Caribbean Settled Hispaniola & Cuba Columbus hoped to find gold, but found none. Encomienda system – colonist gets land and number of native americans to work the land. He then teaches them about Christianity. – Horrible for natives. – Overworked/mistreatment – Diseases spread, no native resistance.

The Conquest of Mexico Move from the Caribbean to the mainland. Hernan Cortes – led expedition into Mexico that ended with the conquest of the Aztecs. Conquistador – Spanish soldier, explorer, fortune hunter who conquered natives.

Cortes Cortes conquered the Aztecs and their King Montezuma II (1521)

3 Spanish advantages Superior Weapons!

Disease

Battle at Tenochtitlan native support Capital city Thousands of natives joined Cortes. Montezuma taken prisoner and killed. Cortes takes the Aztec Empire for Spain!

The Conquest of Peru Francisco Pizarro – led the expedition into Peru, home to the Incan Empire. Found them in weakened state. – Disease & Civil War. Atahualpa met with Pizarro in – Pizarro demanded he accepted Christianity and hand over his empire to Spain. Spanish takes them over!

Surviving Incan Ruins at Machu Picchu, atop the Andes Mtns.

Life in the Spanish Empire Spain gained Mexico & Peru Viceroys – Spanish official who ruled a large area in the name of the king. Mining for gold/silver Disease kills 90% of natives, the workforce.

Dividing Explored land! Pope Alexander VI suggests an imaginary dividing line, drawn north to south. Line of Demarcation – All lands west of the line belong to Spain, lines east belong to Portugal. Treaty of Tordesillas – Spain/Portugal honor the slightly moved west Line of Demarcation.

Results: Belongs to Spain Belongs to Portugal

France - New France = Canada Aka Canada Many colonies being established by the French. French found no precious gold or silver. Instead they found fish and valuable animal fur. Only sent small amounts of colonists. Did not enslave Native Americans. Samuel de Champlain – founded city of Quebec in Robert La Salle – canoed down the Mississippi River in Claimed region of Louisian for France Louisiana = Honoring King Louis XIV of France.

The Dutch Came only interested in trade. New Netherland trade colony New Amsterdam = New York City Fewer than 4,000 people in Focused on other colonies… – Caribbean – produced sugar – Asia – provided spices

The English Colonies Jamestown, Virgina – first English colony – Sought gold and silver – 80% died during first winter Plymouth, Massachusetts – colony of pilgrims – Became self-sufficient within 5 years.

British defeated the French French and Indian War