Homework EA-2 due tomorrow

Aim #3: How did the Age of Exploration affect the native peoples of the Americas and Africa? Do Now: Should Columbus Day be abolished as a national holiday? Why or why not?

I. After Columbus’ voyages, Spain focuses on exploiting its New World colonies A.Conquistadors: Spanish adventurers who carved out colonies in Mexico, South America and the U.S. in search of gold and silver. 1.Hernando Cortes (1521): Conquers the Aztecs in Mexico 2. Francisco Pizzaro (1532): Conquers the Incas in Peru What do you think was the most important reason the conquistadors were able to defeat the Aztecs and the Incas even though they were incredibly outnumbered?

II. Impact on Native Civilizations A. System of Encomienda: –Spanish crown grants the conquistadors the right to use Native Americans as workers in the new gold/silver mines, ranches and plantations of Spanish landowners. –Becomes a legal form of slavery. Millions of NA’s die. – Abolished by Charles V in 1531.

A. African Slave Trade (The “Triangular” Trade): African slaves replace Native Americans as forced laborers in the colonies. III. Rise of the African Slave Trade

Concluding Question Why did Europeans think they were justified in carrying out the slave trade? Think about: –Their opinion of the African slaves. –Why they thought slaves would “benefit” from being taken to the New World.