Contact and Exploration

Columbian Exchange in Old World : A population explosion! Potatoes and corn to Europe led to rapid population growth Europe 1492 = 80M; 1650 = 105M African population growth made slave trade easier. What did these foods increase population?

Colonists and Indians Conquistadors rewarded with annual tribute, plunder and grants known as encomiendas – the right to forced labor in return for “Christianizing” Indians Indians exposed to disease, and overworked on large plantations EVENTUAL ASSIMILATION WAS GOAL! What is Assimilation?

New Spain Located in present-day Mexico with Mexico City being the capital. A new population of creoles, mestizos, Native Americans and Africans New Spain became rich as a result of sugar plantations and silver mines.

Bartolome de Las Casas Las Casas, a Spanish priest, wrote of mistreatment of Indians, detailed cruelty of conquistadors, and pleaded for intervention by Spanish authorities. Although he later changed his mind, he called for use of African Slavery to spare the Indian population Recognized as a hero by indigenous peoples of Mexico His work contributed to Black Legend

Tremendous wealth! Spain became the dominant power AND a perceived threat to other European nations Spain began to lose it dominance when England defeated the Spain Armada in 1588. Spain lost control of New Mexico (present-day southwestern US) in 1680 with Pueblo Indians revolted under the leadership of Popé. It would be 14 years before Spain regained to some control.

New France Original goal: Northwest Passage and to find gold  failure. Fur trade became the economic motivation of French efforts Quebec 1608, Sieur de La Salle claimed Mississippi Basin Sparsely settled – only 19,000 by 1700 King opposed settlement Bad reports on environment Numbers not needed for beaver/fur trade

New France and Indians Emphasis on trade  a generally more humane relationship and series of alliances with various tribes Did not appropriate land or force labor Generally promoted Indian assimilation, however many French became assimilated into Indian cultures

The Dutch in North America (New Netherlands) By 1614 Dutch created an outpost at what is now Albany New York; 1624 purchase of Manhattan (named New Amsterdam) Settlements centered on fur trade Very tolerant and diverse communities Colony governed as a harsh military outpost Large estates offered to patroons on Hudson River to attract wealthy investors who would transport servants – not generally successful Only 9000 lived in New Netherlands when Britain seized it in mid 1600s,

Review Questions What motivated the Spanish Empire for colonizing/exploring the Americas? What motivated the French? The Dutch? What was the encomienda system? Who was de las Casas and what was the Black Legend? In your opinion did the Native Americans benefit at all from their interactions with Europeans?