Unit III: Exploration of Unit III: Exploration of the New Worldthe New World

In 1492 Ferdinand and Isabella In 1492 Ferdinand and Isabella expelled the last of the Moors from expelled the last of the Moors from the Iberian peninsula. This gave the Iberian peninsula. This gave them complete control over Spain them complete control over Spain and peace for the first time that and peace for the first time that century. century.

When Columbus met with the Queen When Columbus met with the Queen and asked for ships and supplies to and asked for ships and supplies to sail west in hopes of reaching the sail west in hopes of reaching the West Indies the Spanish victory over West Indies the Spanish victory over the Moors gave them the resources the Moors gave them the resources to supply Columbus. to supply Columbus.

Most Nobles thought his plan was Most Nobles thought his plan was preposterous, not because he preposterous, not because he thought the world was round, but thought the world was round, but because he thought it was because he thought it was 10,000 miles smaller in 10,000 miles smaller in circumference. circumference.

On August 3, 1492 Columbus set sail from Palos, Spain with three ships: the Nina, Santa Maria, and the Pinta. After several weeks the crew almost mutinied before finally on October 12, 1492 the crew sighted land on the day they had agreed to turn back.

In a solemn ceremony before an audience of uncomprehending islanders, Columbus claimed the island for Spain and named it San Salvador (Holy Savior).

The “New World” possessed The “New World” possessed millions of inhabitants with millions of inhabitants with flourishing civilizations; despite flourishing civilizations; despite this the Europeans quickly saw this the Europeans quickly saw an opportunity for conquest and an opportunity for conquest and exploitation. exploitation.

The Spanish in particular were The Spanish in particular were interested because the Treaty of interested because the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) had split the Tordesillas (1494) had split the newly discovered lands into newly discovered lands into separate Portuguese and Spanish separate Portuguese and Spanish spheres of influence. The Spanish spheres of influence. The Spanish were given the lands across the were given the lands across the Atlantic Ocean, except for Atlantic Ocean, except for current day Brazil.current day Brazil.

The first contact between the The first contact between the Europeans and Natives, while Europeans and Natives, while highly successful for the highly successful for the Europeans who found precious Europeans who found precious metals, agricultural goods and metals, agricultural goods and slaves, contact for the natives slaves, contact for the natives was disastrous. The forced labor was disastrous. The forced labor of the native population and of the native population and introduction of European introduction of European diseases quickly decimated the diseases quickly decimated the Native population. Native population.

The developing trade between the The developing trade between the New and Old World Cultures became New and Old World Cultures became known as the Columbian Exchange. known as the Columbian Exchange.

European diseases such as smallpox European diseases such as smallpox and malaria entered the Native and malaria entered the Native populations, but so did European populations, but so did European crops and animals. Native crops such crops and animals. Native crops such as potatoes, corn and tomatoes as potatoes, corn and tomatoes became central to the European diet. became central to the European diet.

The societies of the indigenous The societies of the indigenous inhabitants of the Americas seemed inhabitants of the Americas seemed primitive to the Europeans, and the primitive to the Europeans, and the Europeans formed an image of them Europeans formed an image of them as “barbarians.” The Europeans as “barbarians.” The Europeans simply could not see, or did not wish simply could not see, or did not wish to see, the complexities and cultural to see, the complexities and cultural importance of the indigenous importance of the indigenous societies. societies.

European settlers in the European settlers in the Americas cared little or not at all Americas cared little or not at all for indigenous culture and saw for indigenous culture and saw the local population as nothing the local population as nothing more than a slave labor force. more than a slave labor force.

Spanish Colonization of the Spanish Colonization of the AmericasAmericas

Early Spanish exploration yielded Early Spanish exploration yielded little wealth. Beginning in 1519 little wealth. Beginning in 1519 though Spanish conquistadors though Spanish conquistadors began having incredible success began having incredible success against the native populations. against the native populations.

In 1504 Hernan Cortes left Spain In 1504 Hernan Cortes left Spain in search of adventure and in search of adventure and wealth. He traveled to Cuba wealth. He traveled to Cuba where he began preparations to where he began preparations to explore Latin America. In explore Latin America. In February of 1519 Cortes left February of 1519 Cortes left Cuba with a small band of men Cuba with a small band of men and began an attack on the and began an attack on the powerful Aztec Empire in central powerful Aztec Empire in central Mexico. Mexico.

Four hundred soldiers with 16 horses Four hundred soldiers with 16 horses landed in Mexico at the present day landed in Mexico at the present day city of Vera Cruz. They then began city of Vera Cruz. They then began marching towards central Mexico in marching towards central Mexico in search of a rumored great city. They search of a rumored great city. They were able to defeat native were able to defeat native populations along the way and populations along the way and forced others into an alliance with forced others into an alliance with them. Once the Spanish and their them. Once the Spanish and their Indian allies arrived at the Aztec Indian allies arrived at the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, they were capital of Tenochtitlan, they were met by the Aztec king Montezuma II. met by the Aztec king Montezuma II.

•The Spanish conquest of the Aztecs was successful because of a combination of smallpox, Aztec treatment of their allies and religious beliefs. Montezuma believed that Cortes was the re-incarnated God Quetzalcoatl. 1519 was also the 52nd year of the Aztec calendar in which the land would be destroyed and then recreated.

Between 1531 and 1536 Between 1531 and 1536 another Spanish expedition another Spanish expedition under the command of under the command of Francisco Pizzaro began Francisco Pizzaro began exploring the Northern Andes exploring the Northern Andes after hearing of a magical city after hearing of a magical city filled with gold.filled with gold.

As the Spanish and Incan armies As the Spanish and Incan armies were marching towards the were marching towards the valley of Cajamarca Pizarro valley of Cajamarca Pizarro invited Atahualpa to meet. He invited Atahualpa to meet. He then met with his troops to then met with his troops to discuss the capture of Atahualpa. discuss the capture of Atahualpa. Pizarro had decided to place Pizarro had decided to place soldiers hidden in the city. soldiers hidden in the city. Atahualpa left his army of 40,000 Atahualpa left his army of 40,000 outside of the city and entered outside of the city and entered with 5,000 lightly armed troops. with 5,000 lightly armed troops.

Once in the city a Spanish priest read Once in the city a Spanish priest read the Requerimiento, which stated that the Requerimiento, which stated that if they did not convert then they will if they did not convert then they will be forced to. The Incans of course do be forced to. The Incans of course do not understand and at the signal the not understand and at the signal the Spanish attacked and massacred the Spanish attacked and massacred the Incas and captured Atahualpa. On Incas and captured Atahualpa. On November 16, 1532 the Spanish November 16, 1532 the Spanish killed over 1,000 Indians without killed over 1,000 Indians without suffering one death.suffering one death.

Atahualpa believed Pizarro just Atahualpa believed Pizarro just wanted gold and offered a ransom for wanted gold and offered a ransom for his release. He offered to fill a room his release. He offered to fill a room with 13,420 pounds of gold/ 26,000 with 13,420 pounds of gold/ 26,000 pounds of silver. Atahualpa was pounds of silver. Atahualpa was allowed to go to his capital at Quito, allowed to go to his capital at Quito, basically as a puppet of Pizarro. In basically as a puppet of Pizarro. In July of 1533 the Spanish accused July of 1533 the Spanish accused Atahualpa of trying to build an army Atahualpa of trying to build an army and burned him at the stake.and burned him at the stake.

After conquering South and Latin After conquering South and Latin America Spanish conquistadors America Spanish conquistadors began exploring the American began exploring the American southwest in search of mythical southwest in search of mythical cities of gold. When Spanish cities of gold. When Spanish explorers left the southwest Jesuit explorers left the southwest Jesuit missionaries moved in trying to missionaries moved in trying to convert the Natives to Catholicism. convert the Natives to Catholicism.

The Spanish also settled Florida in The Spanish also settled Florida in much the same manner as the much the same manner as the southwest. Ponce de Leon for southwest. Ponce de Leon for example searched Florida for a example searched Florida for a fountain of youth.fountain of youth.

The Spanish administrative system The Spanish administrative system could best be describes as misguided could best be describes as misguided paternalism and cruel exploitation. paternalism and cruel exploitation. Queen Isabella declared the Indians Queen Isabella declared the Indians to be subjects of Castile and to be subjects of Castile and instituted the encomienda system, instituted the encomienda system, which permitted the conquering which permitted the conquering Spaniards to collect tribute from the Spaniards to collect tribute from the Indians and use them as laborers. In Indians and use them as laborers. In return the holders of the encomienda return the holders of the encomienda were supposed to protect the Indians were supposed to protect the Indians and supervise their spiritual needs. and supervise their spiritual needs.

The Spanish also established a rigid The Spanish also established a rigid social class system in the empire in social class system in the empire in which peninsulares controlled the which peninsulares controlled the colonies. The second class consisted colonies. The second class consisted of creoles who were born in America of creoles who were born in America by Spanish parents. They were by Spanish parents. They were wealthy and came to dominate the wealthy and came to dominate the colonies. Underneath the Spanish colonies. Underneath the Spanish were the mestizos, who were a were the mestizos, who were a mixture of Spanish and Natives. They mixture of Spanish and Natives. They were relegated to lower class jobs were relegated to lower class jobs but were above the Natives who but were above the Natives who were nothing more than slave labor.were nothing more than slave labor.

The massive number of Native The massive number of Native American deaths due to European American deaths due to European diseases led the Europeans to begin diseases led the Europeans to begin African slave trading. In the early African slave trading. In the early 16th century the Portuguese began 16th century the Portuguese began trading West African slaves with the trading West African slaves with the Caribbean sugar plantations that Caribbean sugar plantations that were being established. Somewhere were being established. Somewhere around 11-12 million African slaves around 11-12 million African slaves are sent to the New World. are sent to the New World.

The main reason for the massive The main reason for the massive growth of the slave population was growth of the slave population was the growing economic value of the growing economic value of sugar, tobacco and rice. African sugar, tobacco and rice. African slaves of which 66% were males slaves of which 66% were males were an abundant labor source that were an abundant labor source that along with the importation of women along with the importation of women began to immediately enlarge the began to immediately enlarge the labor source naturally through labor source naturally through reproduction.reproduction.

The developing plantations The developing plantations provided economic wealth to the provided economic wealth to the mother countries through a vast mother countries through a vast trade system across the Atlantic.trade system across the Atlantic.

Mercantilism (Capitalism) Mercantilism (Capitalism)

The Challenge to SpainThe Challenge to Spain Spanish success in the New Spanish success in the New

World led other Europeans to World led other Europeans to challenge Spanish power in the challenge Spanish power in the Atlantic. The French, Dutch and Atlantic. The French, Dutch and English began explorations of English began explorations of North America during the 16North America during the 16thth century but none created a century but none created a permanent settlement until the permanent settlement until the 1717thth century. century.

One of the motives behind this One of the motives behind this challenge was the development challenge was the development of the Protestant Reformation in of the Protestant Reformation in the early 1500s. As Spain’s the early 1500s. As Spain’s enemies converted to enemies converted to Protestantism they also began to Protestantism they also began to challenge Spain overseas.challenge Spain overseas.

French exploration began in 1524 French exploration began in 1524 when Giovanni da Verrazano, was when Giovanni da Verrazano, was sent to North America in search of sent to North America in search of Northwest Passage to the Pacific Northwest Passage to the Pacific Ocean. His early explorations Ocean. His early explorations provided the French with important provided the French with important information about North America. information about North America. Between 1534 and 1543, Jacques Between 1534 and 1543, Jacques Cartier made three voyages to North Cartier made three voyages to North America. The harsh winter prevented America. The harsh winter prevented French settlement except for fur French settlement except for fur traders and fishermen. traders and fishermen.

Cartier’s explorations

The growth of the Protestant The growth of the Protestant Reformation kept France from Reformation kept France from continued exploration during the continued exploration during the late 16late 16thth century. It was not until century. It was not until Henry IV took power in 1589 that Henry IV took power in 1589 that France’s religious wars ended France’s religious wars ended and stability was created.and stability was created.

In 1608 Samuel de Champlain In 1608 Samuel de Champlain established Quebec, along the St. established Quebec, along the St. Lawrence River. He envisioned a Lawrence River. He envisioned a society in which the French and society in which the French and Natives would intermarry and “be Natives would intermarry and “be one people.” one people.”

The settlement of Quebec did not The settlement of Quebec did not provided the French with gold and provided the French with gold and silver. The French did however profit silver. The French did however profit from the colony through the fur from the colony through the fur trade. trade.

This acquisition of wealth through This acquisition of wealth through trade between the New and Old trade between the New and Old World would eventually provide World would eventually provide France and England with significant France and England with significant amounts of wealth. It would also amounts of wealth. It would also encourage continued expansion into encourage continued expansion into North America. North America.

In 1663 the French monarchy took In 1663 the French monarchy took control of Quebec and established control of Quebec and established New France. Under the rule of Louis New France. Under the rule of Louis XIV the French began expansion XIV the French began expansion south into the Ohio and Mississippi south into the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys.River valleys.

The establishment of Louisiana in the late 17th century gave the French access between Canada and their Caribbean possessions. They built forts along the Great Lakes to protect their interests and facilitate trade with Indians.

In addition to the fur trade the In addition to the fur trade the French also established plantations French also established plantations in the Caribbean and Louisiana in the Caribbean and Louisiana where African slave labor was used where African slave labor was used for sugar and rice production. for sugar and rice production.

The French faced competition in The French faced competition in North America from the Dutch. In North America from the Dutch. In 1621 the Dutch West India Company 1621 the Dutch West India Company was established which took control of was established which took control of the African slave trade and began the African slave trade and began settling the Hudson river valley.settling the Hudson river valley.

In 1626 Peter Minuit brought 30 In 1626 Peter Minuit brought 30 Protestant families to Manhattan Protestant families to Manhattan Island and founded the port of Island and founded the port of New Amsterdam. As other New Amsterdam. As other settlers moved into the area New settlers moved into the area New Netherland was established. In Netherland was established. In 1630s the Dutch established 1630s the Dutch established patroonships along the Hudson patroonships along the Hudson river.river.

The patroonships were largely The patroonships were largely unsuccessful because few Dutch unsuccessful because few Dutch settlers wanted to become settlers wanted to become peasants.peasants.

Both the Dutch and French Both the Dutch and French though would face pressure from though would face pressure from English colonization which began English colonization which began after the English navy defeated after the English navy defeated the Spanish Armada in the the Spanish Armada in the English Channel in 1588. English Channel in 1588.