1. Aim: Describe the Spanish Conquests of the Americas

2. Spain’s Voyages to the Americas
Spain’s rulers had funded Columbus first voyage to the Americas (1492)
Agreed to finance 3 more trips
Columbus journeyed now as an empire builder
The Spanish intended to transform the island of the Caribbean into colonies or lands controlled by other nations
1519: Portuguese Explorer Ferdinand Magellan led bold exploration
Sailed around the southern end of South America & into waters of Pacific
Explored islands of Guam, Magellan, and the Philippines
Became involved in local war in Philippines and killed 2

3. Spanish Conquests in Mexico
1519: Spaniard Hernando Cortes landed on the shores of Mexico
After colonizing there, the Spanish turned their attention to the American mainland
Cortes marched inland
Many Spanish explorers that followed him were known as Conquistadors (Conquerors)
Carved out colonies in regions that became Mexico, South America, & United States
1521: Cortes and his men conquered the Aztecs due to several factors:
1) Spanish had superior weaponry
2) Cortes enlist the help of various native groups
3) Natives couldn’t stop diseases that Europeans brought with them (Measles, mumps, smallpox) 3

4. Spain’s Pattern of Conquest
In building their new American empire, the Spaniards drew from techniques during the Reconquista of Spain
Relationships between Spanish settlers and native women were common
These relationships created a large mestizo or mixed Spanish-Native American population
Spanish conquerors oppressed the native people
Spanish forced Native Americans to work within the encomienda system- Natives farmed, ranched, or mined for Spanish lords
Landlords received rights to the natives’ labor from Spanish authority 4

5. Spain’s Influence Expands
Spain’s American colonies helped make it the richest nation in the world
Newfound wealth ushered in Spain’s golden age
To protect its treasure-filled ships, Spain built a powerful navy
Dreams of new conquests promoted Spain to back expeditions into Southwestern United States
1513- Juan Ponce de Leon claimed land of Florida for Spain
: Coronado led expedition throughout Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, & Texas
Searching for another wealthy empire to conquer but found little gold
Spanish assigned priests to explore & colonize the United States 5