The Spanish Come to America

Christopher Columbus Italian sailor who sailed under the Spanish flag. Trying to find an all water route to Asia by sailing around the world. Ships – Niña, Pinta, Santa Maria Reached land in America on Oct. 12, 1492

Thought he was in the Indies, so he called the natives “Indians” Claimed the land for Spain. Made 3 other voyages and established a permanent colony in the West Indies.

New Spain Conquistadores – Spanish soldiers (conquerers) sought riches and power for themselves and wealth and glory for Spain. Conquistadores conquered the Native American tribes and made it possible for others to follow after them and build towns, lay out roads, open mines, and develop farms and ranches

Spain was a Catholic nation, and its rulers wanted to convert the Native Americans to the Catholic faith. Friars (members of Catholic religious orders) entered lands in the north and established religious outposts called missions. The purpose was to convert the Native Americans to Catholicism and teach them the Spanish way of life. Religious Reasons for Settlement

Goals of the Spanish in America God Gold Glory

Cortés Lands in Mexico Sailed from Cuba in 1519 Landed army of 500 soldiers on Mexico’s east coast Heard of Aztec empire and its capital Tenochtitlán Aztecs believed Cortés was one of their gods – Quetzacoatl Aztecs were amazed by the Spanish armor, horses, guns, and cannons

Aztec Culture Palaces, zoos, complex art Calendar based on the lunar year Marketplace for buying and selling goods Produced items made of gold, silver, lead, brass, copper, tin, precious stones, shells, and feathers Practiced human sacrifices by cutting out the hearts of the victims while they were still alive.

The Aztec Culture

Moctezuma Tenochtitlán

Cortés Conquers the Aztecs Captured Aztec leader Moctezuma and held him hostage Tore down Tenochtitlan & plundered the treasure Built a new city named Ciudad de Mexico (Mexico City) This became the capital of New Spain Inspired other Spaniards to explore new areas in search of treasure

Hernán Cortés

Pizarro conquers the Incas Francisco Pizarro led an expedition from Central America to conquer the Inca Empire in South America near present day Chili. He kidnapped the Inca king and demanded a ransom of gold and silver that filled up entire rooms of the Inca palace. The Inca people brought all the gold and silver and then Pizarro killed the Inca king anyway.

Francisco Pizarro

Inca Empire Macchu Picchu

Alvarez de Pineda Explores Texas Sailed along the uncharted coastline from Florida to Mexico Observed and mapped the land Named a river Rio de las Palmas Reported his information to the governor of Jamaica Returned to Mexico to start a settlement First European to explore and map the Texas coast

Narváez Expedition Purpose – looking for riches in Florida Stranded in Florida – ships left them Built 5 boats Sailed along coast toward Mexico Terrible storm caused them to be shipwrecked near present day Galveston (1528)

Stranded in Texas Survivors included Cabeza de Vaca and Estevanico Named the island Malhado – the isle of misfortune (now Galveston) Rescued by Karankawas Cabeza de Vaca and Estevanico were thought of as shamans. They also traded with the Indians. Spent 6 years traveling and learning about the Indians and geography of Texas Arrived in Mexico in 1536.