1. The Native Americans in the Spanish Empire

2. Class system developed in Spain’s American Empire Social Hierarchy – Peninsulare Creole Mestizo Natives Slaves

3. In the 1500’s the Spanish government: Granted each conquistador an ecomienda –Right to demand taxes and labor from the Native Americans living on that land. –Turned Native Americans into slaves. –Forced to work on plantations Large farms that raised cash crops, such as coffee, cotton, sugar. Exported to Europe.

4. Missions Tried to replace Native American traditions and religion with Catholicism

5. The “Protector of the Natives” “How can someone serve God and enslave Natives at the same time?” Bartolome de Las Casa Spanish priest who spoke out against the mistreatment of the Natives.