1. Spanish Colonization

2. Governing Latin America
Stretched from California to S. America
Divided into 5 provinces:
New Spain (Mexico), Peru, Caribbean, were most important
King appointed a viceroy to rule each province
Viceroy – the person appointed by the King to rule in his place in the colony.
Council for the Indies – made laws for the colonies
Assisted by audencias – advisory councils of Spanish colonists. Only Spanish Catholics allowed to settle in colonies.

3. Economic Life Followed mercantilist policies:
Colonies export raw materials to Spain & buy manufactured goods from Spain
Most valuable exports: gold & silver
Established sugar plantations – refined into sugar, molasses, rum

5. Encomienda system
Encomienda – plantations owned by conquistadors/wealthy colonists
Conquistadors given right to force Native Americans to work on the plantations

6. Native Americans are paid a small amount for their work
Native Americans are paid a small amount for their work. They became peons or sharecroppers that worked for the landlord to pay off debt created when they were given food, tools, seeds.

7. Bartolome de las Casas – a priest who condemned the encomienda system and abuse of the Native Americans.
He gathered eyewitness accounts; sent to the King of Spain
1542 – New laws are passed. Repartmiento: forbid enslavement (not enforced) Indians are to be paid (a small amount) for their work.

10. The labor shortage led to the importation of Africans
The labor shortage led to the importation of Africans. This marks the beginning of the slave trade.

11. Social impact of Spanish Colonization
A person’s birth and the Catholic Church determined their social status.

12. Peninsulares Born in Spain, they held the highest positions in gov’t
Viceroy, audencia, &/ owned encomiendas
Peninsulares

13. Creoles Spaniards born in the Americas/ colonies Plantations Ranchers
Mine owners
Peninsulares
Creoles

14. Mestizo, Mulattoes, Zambo
Mestizos/Mulattoes
Persons of mixed race, born in the Americas
Spanish/Indian (Indigenous)
Spanish/African
Indian/African
Peninsualres
Creoles
Mestizo, Mulattoes, Zambo

15. Indigenous & Africans Sharecroppers Slaves No power Zambo
Peninsulares
Creoles
Mestizo, Mulattoes,
Zambo
Indigenous & Africans

17. Role of the Catholic Church
Served as gov’t officials
Became the major landholder
Baptized/converted thousands of indigenous people
Built missions (church) on the frontier

18. Social influence
Taught indigenous people that European(s) culture was superior
Introduced western clothing
Spanish language
European crafts: carpentry; locksmithing
Reinforced the patriarchal society.
Males held the most power (dominated).

19. Religious role Ministered to the needs of Spanish settlers
Built churches
Built hospitals
Ran schools and universities (University of Mexico 1551)
Kept records of births, marriages, deaths

20. Slave Trade
Groups of 3 or 4 read Olaudah Equiano’s first hand account of life as a slave.
One sheet loose-leaf w/ names &
25 bullets about the slave trade & slavery
Be sure to include facts from each of the three narratives:
Page 1: Capture of slaves
Page 2&3: Middle Passage (Transport)
Page 4: Arrival & Sale of slaves