Europeans in the Americas

The Spanish Empire in America Spanish divided empire into 2 central divisions New Spain Mexico & Central America Peru western coast of South America

Spain - Cortés Cortes conquers the Aztecs – 1521 Superior weapons muskets and cannons Help from other native American groups Didn’t like Aztec rule Malinche – translator Smallpox much smaller Native American population to fight

Spain - Pizarro Pizarro conquers the Incas– 1532 (Peru) Battle of Cajamarca 187 Spaniards vs 80,000 Inca Soldiers!! Incas unprepared for battle Spanish had Superior weapons and Horses Inca Atahualpa taken captive

Economy in the Americas Goal = Make Spain profitable Sugar Cane Introduced to West Indies Refined into sugar, molasses & rum BUT Required plantations—large estates run by an owner, or owner's overseer Encomiendas created – a system giving the Spanish the right to demand labor or tribute (payment) from Native Americans NOTE: System was meant to be fair labor, but led to brutal slavery—starvation & cruel treatment to those who resisted

Opposition to Spanish Rule Bartolomeo de la Casas Outspoken Spanish Priest Spoke out against cruel treatment of native Americans 1542 – Encomienda system abolished African labor promoted by many to replace Native American labor

FRANCE - Cartier: sailed up the St Lawrence River, Established -“Mount Royal” Mont Real = Montreal. Became NEW FRANCE

$$$$$$ New France Area was very large, but sparsely populated France was interested in TRADE. NOT interested in establishing colonies. Did NOT build towns or establish families $$$$$$

The ENGLISH 1607 – King James approves a charter by English investors to found a colony in North America. – Jamestown After a disastrous beginning of searching for gold, farmers discovered their own type of gold – tobacco 1620 - Puritans – fled Anglican Church persecution in England Brought families to build a model community

The Netherlands – the Dutch Establish New Amsterdam (modern-day NYC) Henry Hudson – Englishman in service of Netherlands looking for route to Asia Established trade with Iroquois Indians Expanded the fur trade - again, like the French, lots of profit, but limited colonists

The Netherlands – the Dutch

The Caribbean Europeans countries colonized the Caribbean Island (taking over some land from Spain) French – Haiti, Guadalupe, Martinique English – Barbados and Jamaica Dutch – Antilles and Aruba Each Build huge Cotton and Sugar plantations Demand HUGE amounts of labor

North American Battle The English, getting permission from the Duke of York, drive out the Dutch and claim “New York” Dutch surrender without a shot. Expanding English colonies clash with French lands holdings French and Indian War (1750s) English win and control most of North America