1. AP Chapter 2
When Worlds Collide

2. Columbus Reaches the Americas
Reconquista- centuries long struggle by the Spanish to defeat the Muslims
During the Reconquista the Spanish became very good at conquest and plundering
1492- Christopher Columbus led an expedition westward looking for a shorter route to Asia

3. Columbus’s goal was to expand the power of the Spanish Empire
He explored parts of Cuba and Hispaniola and reported back on his discovery
Soon many larger expeditions were sent to the Americas

4. Invasion of the Americas
Columbus’s successors established the Encomienda system which forced the natives into slave labor
Reports of gold led the Spanish to explore parts of North and Central America
Hernando Cortes defeated the Aztecs in 1519

5. Social Structure
Peninsular
Creoles
Mestizos
Native Americans
Slaves

6. Destruction of the Indies
The Spanish were easily able to defeat the Native Americans because of superior weapons and diseases (smallpox)
Spanish were criticized for the treatment of the Native Americans
Some estimate that over 20 million Native Americans died as a result of the Spanish conquest

9. Further Expansion in the Americas
Ponce de Leon- was the first Spanish conquistador to extend his power into North America by exploring modern day Florida.
Treaty of Tordesillas (1494)- treaty dividing the America’s between Spain and Portugal
Spain dominated central and South America

10. Northern Exploration and Encounters
John Cabot- was the 1st successful explorer in N. America and reached Labrador in 1497.
Capt. Cartier tried to locate a Northwest Passage which eventually allowed the French to lay claim to the lands in Canada

11. Beginning in the 16th Century the fur trade played a huge role in the economy of N. America for three centuries
Fur Trade led to competition among the Native American tribes and warfare broke out over hunting grounds.

12. First Colonies
Huguenots were the leaders behind the first French attempt to establish colonies in N. America
English settlements were driven primarily by economic motives
Francis Drake (England)- began launching raids against the Spanish in the New World

13. Conclusion
The Spanish opened up the exploration of the America’s with Columbus’s voyage
Natives suffered disastrous consequences
Spain, England, France and Portugal all began competing for colonies.