Spanish Colonization of the Americas (1492-1752)

Spanish Colonization of America

The first Spanish settlement in North America was founded during the summer of 1565 by Pedro Menéndez, a Spanish commander.

It was located at St. Augustine, Florida.

It became a colony, or area settled by immigrants who continued to be ruled by their parent country.

Building a Spanish Empire

Beginning with Christopher Columbus who traveled to the Americas from 1492-1504, Spanish explorers followed in his footsteps laying claim and discovering the New World.

Juan Ponce de León

A young hidalgo, or Spanish gentleman, who explored Florida in search for the “Fountain of Youth.” He explored Florida in 1513.

Vasco Núñez de Balboa

In 1513 Balboa led a group across the isthmus of Panama becoming the first European to see the Pacific Ocean.

An isthmus is a narrow strip of land.

Ferdinand Magellan

After a 3 year voyage (1519-1522), Magellan became the First European to circumnavigate the Earth.

Portuguese born Magellan died during a conflict in the Philippines about 2/3 of the way through the voyage. His crew finished the trip

Map of Magellan’s Voyage

Reconquista and a Pattern of Conquest Many of the Spanish who came to the new

world gained experience fighting the Muslims back in Spain in an over 700 year battle known as the Reconquista.

This would determine how the Spanish would treat the Native Americans they encountered.

The Conquistadors

Out of the traditions of the Reconquista came the conquistadors or Spanish conquerors who came to the new world for God, gold, and glory.

Hernán Cortés

In 1519, Cortés launched a campaign to conquer the Aztecs of Mexico.

With about 600 men and supported by various Native groups, Cortés brought the Aztec Empire with all of its gold under his command.

Francisco Pizarro

In 1527, Pizarro explored and conquered the Incan Empire.

Along with his brother he later governed his extensive South American domain.

The Encomienda System

To control its American colonies the Spanish utilized a harsh system of forced labor known as the encomienda system.

Under this system natives were required to farm, ranch, or mine for the profit of an individual Spaniard.

In return the Spanish were supposed to ensure the well-being of the natives (shocking news…this did not happen)

Natives were often forced to convert to the Catholic religion.

Only one man spoke out for the Natives and that was a Dominican priest named Bartolome De Las Casas…let’s meet him.