Early Latin America

Spaniards and Portuguese: From Reconquest to Conquest Geographic location of Iberian peninsula meant conflict and thus a strong military tradition Mid-15th century Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile unified kingdoms and got rid of religious and ethnic diversity in their kingdoms 1492 Fall of Granada and economic support to Columbus

Iberian Society and Tradition Traditionally, Spanish and Portuguese lived in cities- they transported this to the American Indian countryside Use of African slaves already common on Iberian peninsula-- merchants use of slaves Political centralization of Portugal and Castile with well-trained bureaucracy similar to China Heavy influence of religion and church

The Chronology of Conquest 1492-1570-  conquest-  administration and economy set up 1570-1700 – consolidation 18th century- reform and reorganization that intensified the colonial relationship

The Caribbean Crucible Conquest of Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Panama Arrival of Spanish women and African slaves represented a shift from an area of conquest to one of settlement Agricultural Taino people provided enough surplus labor so began the encomienda system- But native population quickly decimated and for 200 years a backwater until sugar and slaves allowed it to surge again Disease and conquest-  Bartolome de Las Casas – struggle for justice

The Paths of Conquest Conquests usually done by an individual or small group with government support Conquest directed at Mexico and South America Hernan Cortes -conquest of the Aztec in Tenochtitlan in 1521 (defeat of Montezuma II)- won partly because of help from Aztec enemies and also from disease, starvation, and battle 1535- New Spain Franciso Pizarro and the Inca-  1533 Cuzco fell.  By 1540 most of Peru under Spanish control although active resistance continued Spanish expeditions spread out then to North America and South America:  Francisco Vazquez de Coronado in N. America and Pedro de Valdivia in S.America By 1570 there were 192 Spanish cities

The Conquerors Crown received 1/5 of treasure Conquerors came from all walks of life and were hoping to better themselves and serve God Technological edge (horses, firearms, steel weapons) gave them great advantage

Conquest and Morality Justification of Spanish rule and destruction by Juan Gines de Sepulveda versus Las Casas Huge population declines due to epidemics and mistreatment disrupted American societies

Exploitation of the Indians No interference with aspects that served colonial goals or conflict with Spanish authority or religion.  Indian nobility in Mexico and Peru, for example, remained middlemen between the tax and labor demands. By mid-16th century enslavement of Indians forbidden Colonial governments increasingly extracted labor and taxes from native peoples 

Colonial Economies and Governments Spanish America an agrarian society- 80% of the people worked on land Mining was the essential activity and the basis of Spain’s rule in West Indies-  silver formed the basis of Spain’s wealth in America

The Silver Heart of Empire 1545-1565 major silver discoveries and mining towns developed.  Potosi in Peru and Zacatecas in Mexico Labor first provided by slaves and encomienda workers and then replaced by labor draft Used European mining techniques 1/5 profit went to crown Mining stimulated other parts of the economy

Haciendas and Villages Family-owned rural estates developed (haciendas) Labor force came from Native Americans and mestizos Haciendas became basis of wealth for local aristocracy

Industry and Commerce Small textile workshops- produced cloth and colonies no longer depended on Europe for basic goods Spain tightly controlled the silver trade-  Board of Trade in Seville.  Worked with merchant guild- consulado Galleons- large heavily armed ships- carried the silver belonging to the crown Problems-  inflation and cost of keeping up the colonies 

Ruling an Empire: State and Church Sovereignty of colonies rested on papal grant- Treaty of Tordesillas (1494), which awarded lands to the east to Spain and to the west to Portugal Spanish empire became great bureaucratic system built on a juridical core and staffed by lawyers King ruled through the Council of the Indies 16th century- Spain created 2 viceroyalties- one in Mexico and one in Peru. Clergy formed another branch of state apparatus Cultural life around religion- architecture, books, schools Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz- author, poet, musician

Brazil: The First Plantation Colony 1500 Pedro Alvares Cabral landed in Brazil, but Portugal didn’t pay attention to it until 1532 Portuguese nobles given land to colonize and develop Sugar plantations- key to economic success-  worked on by African slaves 1549 Portuguese king sent an official to create a royal capital at Salvador

Sugar and Slavery Brazil became the leader in sugar production in 17th century 150,000 slaves by the end of the 17th century (1/2 of population) Brazil’s social hierarchy reflected its plantation and slave origins Run similarly to the Spanish colonies Portugal was different because it had important colonies in Asia and Africa Portuguese colonies more dependent on Portugal b/c lack of intellectual life in Brazil

Brazil’s Age of Gold Slowly international competition would increase other colonies’ sugar production and push the price down 1695 Gold strikes-  slaves provided labor-  this opened the interior of the country to settlement 1735-1760 reached its height and made Brazil the greatest source of gold Rio de Janeiro became capital of the colony in 1763

Multiracial Societies Society of Castas Miscegenation Mestizos- Indian/European mix- had higher status than the Indians Growth of mestizo and mulatto population to about 40% Development of peninsulares and Creoles Women in subordinate positions

18th Century Reforms Colonies gained new importance with population growth in Europe and revived strength of Spain and Portugal Shifting Balances of Politics and Trade Spain weakened by wars, poor rulers, economic crisis France, Britain, Holland taking islands in the Caribbean War of Spanish Succession and Treaty of Utrecht- recognized the Bourbon family

Bourbon Reforms Charles III worked to strengthen Spain- using some French models Colonies- new viceroyalties created in New Granada and Rio de la Plata Spain involved in the Anglo-French wars, where it lost Florida and Havana, California was settled Growing dissatisfaction among colonial elite

Pombal and Brazil Marquis of Pombal directed Portuguese affairs from 1755-1776- authoritarian leader Developed the interior of Brazil Rio de Janeiro became capital

Reforms, Reactions, Revolt Mid-18th century boom in population and productivity Comunero revolt 1871, Tupac Amaru rising- increased dissatisfaction with imperial policies Social divisions hindered effective revolt until Spain and Portugal were weakened by internal European politics