The Atlantic World

Key Themes Cultural Interactions – Interaction between European states – Native interactions with European states Economics – Mercantilism – Triangular Trade Empire Building – The Establishment/Destruction of various European and Native Empires

Christopher Columbus Made four voyages to the Americas Voyages evolved over time What is the controversy surrounding Christopher Columbus?

The Voyages of Christopher Columbus First Voyage Explorer Sought alternative trade route to Asia 3 ships used Encountered the Taino people Sought gold and other riches Second Voyage Empire Builder Second Voyage (Empire Builder) Sought to establish an empire for Spain 17 ships Over 1,000 soldiers and colonists

Columbus’s Voyages

Colonization The establishment of colonies Lands that are controlled by another, generally stronger nation Colonies used to support a nation How could foreign lands support a strong nation?

Amerigo Vespucci American continents named after him Sailed down the coast of South America

Ferdinand Magellan Led first expedition that sailed around the world Magellan’s crew made it around the globe He was killed in the South Pacific

Spanish Conquistadors (Conquerors) Hernan Cortes Conquered the Aztec Empire in 1521 Francisco Pizzaro Conquered the Incan Empire by 1533

Fall of the Aztec Empire Last Ruler: Montezuma II Could not match Spanish weapons Other natives aligning with Spanish Disease (Smallpox)

Fall of the Incan Empire Last Ruler: Atahualpa Captured and held hostage by Pizarro Ransom of gold and silver paid Strangled Empire without leadership falls apart

Spain’s Pattern of Conquest Reconquista Imposed Spanish culture on the natives Often intermarried Produced a Mestizo population – Mixed Spanish and Native population Encomienda Spanish work system Natives mined, farmed, and ranched land controlled by the Spanish Oppressive system

The Encomienda System

Other Spanish Explorers Juan Ponce de Leon – Explored Florida Francisco Coronado – Explored present day Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas

Spanish Explorations

Spanish Empire Spain claimed a HUGE empire in the Americas Various raw materials including gold and silver brought Spain great wealth

Opposition to Spanish Rule Bartolome de Las Casas Dominican Monk Criticized the actions of Spain on encomiendas and treatment of natives

Pope Native leader in today’s New Mexico Led an organized resistance against Spanish

Human Cost Spain carves out an immense empire in the Americas at a huge human cost Millions of natives lost their lives – War – Disease (more deadly)

Two Legacies Other European states would attempt explorations and empire building in the Americas Natives continually subjected to harsh European rule

European Exploration