The Spanish and Native Americans Chapter 2, Section 3

Spanish Colonies in the Americas The Spanish Empire grew rapidly, despite competition from other European countries. Spain controlled much of North and South America. Took several steps to maintain an organized and effective colonial government.

Organizing the Empire Spain divided its American empire into two provinces called New Spain and Peru. Each province was called a viceroyalty. Top Official= Viceroy, ruled in King’s name. Built new roads to transport soldiers and traded goods throughput the empire.

Social Classes Upper Class- Peninsulares- Spanish born in Europe * land owners, governmental officials. Middle Class- Creoles- People born in America from Spanish parents Mestizos- Spanish and Native American born Lower Class Enslaved African Slaves

Organizing a Spanish Social Class.

Making the Colonies Productive Spanish colonists received encomiendas as a way of collecting tribute from conquered peoples. An Encomienda System was a grant of forced Native American labor. Spanish rulers created large estates, called haciendas, to provide food. Haciendas= large farms where Native Americans worked to grow cash crops (coffee, cotton).

The Church in the Spanish Colonies The Spanish monarch did not intend for the conquistadors to destroy the native population. The Spanish crown wanted the Natives to become tax-paying subjects which would adopt the Spanish way of life. Use of Missions to convert Natives to Christianity. Settlements which included a church, a town, and farmlands. Natives learned skills of writing, reading, carpentry, and metalworking. Overtime, the Natives resisted Spanish customs as they realized they were losing their own religions and traditions of life.

Bartolomé de Las Casas Catholic priest who came to Hispaniola in 1502 as part of a conquest. “How can a person serve God and enslave Native Americans at the same time? Became known as the “Protector of the Indians” fighting in their defense. Spanish King later issued the New Laws in 1542, ordering the freeing of all enslaved Native Americans. King eventually revoked the New Laws in favor of the Spanish rulers.

The Columbian Exchange The movement of: plants, animals, people, cultures, and diseases between the Eastern and Western hemispheres. Disease= smallpox, measles, and influenza. One of the most influential exchanges, causing some 20 million Native American deaths. Positive exchanges= cattle, pigs, horses, grapes, onions, wheat, potatoes, and an improved European diet.

Columbian Exchange