1. Spanish and Portuguese Colonies in the Americas
Chapter 15 Section 2
Spanish and Portuguese Colonies in the Americas

2. Ruling the Spanish Empire
Governing the Provinces – set up Council of the Indies to pass laws for the colonies
-appointed viceroys= representatives who rule in the kings name, in each province.
- Council monitored the viceroys to make sure they did no assume too much authority

3. Spreading Christianity
Winning souls for Christinity was as important as gaining land
Tried to convert Native Americans to Christianity
Church leaders served as royal officals
As land and territory expanded so did the churches power

4. Controlling Trade
Most important items traded were gold, silver, raw materials, and sugar cane products.
Sugar cane products= molasses, sugar, and rum

5. Encomienda System A system of forced labor
The right to to demand labor or tribute from Native Americans in a particular area.
Forced Native Americans to work under the most brutal conditions.
Resisted were hunted down and killed
Disease, starvation, and cruel treatment caused drastic declines in population of N.A.= Labor shortages
These shortages lead to the slave trade.

6. Colonial Society and Culture
Cultural blending- because of the interaction between the Spanish, Indian (N.A.), and African, cultures started to change and adapt
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7. Layered Society
Top= Peninsulares- people from Spain, filled the highest positions in government and church
2nd Creoles- American born decedents from Spain- owned most of the plantations , ranches, and mines
3rd Mestizos- people of N.A. and European decent
4th Mulattoes- people of N.A. and African decent.

8. The Portuguese Colony in Brazil
First inhabited by the Tupian Indians, but most were wiped out by disease.
1530 Portuguese started to develop the land
No instant wealth (no gold or silver) but had Brazialwood, used to produce a dye
Started to develop agriculture, used Indians and Africans as labor to clear the land.
Anew culture was created with the Blending of Portuguese, African, and Native American cultures