Imperialism and Exploration Gold God Glory Technological Advances

Imperialism and Exploration

Gold, God, Glory

Technological Advances n n n New Vessels (the Caravel) Astrolabe Magnetic Compass

Christopher Columbus n n n n Wanted to find alternate route Asia 1492 Sailed on the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria Took over the Tainos Colonized Islands Abused and enslaved the natives Tainos population decreased from 1 million to 500 in 50 years

Tainos n n n “Men of Good” Lived on the island for 150001500 years Grew corn, yams, and cotton n n Made clothes Friendly and open to the Spanish Offended Spanish accidentally Columbus claimed land for Spain and brought Tainos back to Spanish king

Guns, Horses, and Disease n Spanish conquistadors had many advantages: n n n Guns and cannons Metal armor for protection Horses Disease- smallpox, measles, and influenza In 1500 s Native American population decreased by 90%.

Hernando Cortes n n n Conquistador who lived in Cuba Landed in Mexico in 1519 Carved colonies in regions that would become Mexico, South America, USA Spanish first to settle in Americas Encountered the Aztec Civilization

Cortes Meets Aztecs n n Cortes reached Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan Aztec emperor Montezuma II thought he was an armor-clad god and sent him treasures Conquistador demanded more gold Cortes conquered Aztec despite resistance because: n n n Better weapons Disease Help from other native groups

Francisco Pizarro n n n In 1533 he reached South America and encountered the Inca people in Peru Pizzaro conquered Inca Empire Kidnapped Atahualpa (leader) Ransom Gold / Silver Strangled Atalualpa Incas gave up

Spain’s Pattern of Conquest n n Peninsulares married native women and had mestizo children Encomienda System : n n natives farmed, ranched, or mined for Spanish landlords Abusive system

Opposition to Spanish Rule n n Spanish priests pushed for better treatment of natives Encomiendas abolished in 1542 For labor they began to use Africans Natives resisted

Effects of Spanish Conquistadors n n Within a few decades, natives were conquered Native Americans converted to Christianity Seized valuable goods Spain in the 1600’s riches, most powerful nation in the world

Bartolome de Las Casas n their other frightening weapons after the horses: twenty hunting greyhounds they were unleashed and fell on the Indians at eh cry of Tomalo! (get them) within an hour they had preyed on one hundred o them. As the indians were used to going completely naked, it is easy to imagine what the fierce greyhounds did, urged to bite naked bodies and skin much more delicate than that of the wild boars they were used to… This tactic, begun here and invented by the devil, spread throughout these Indies and will end when there is no more land nor people to subjugate and destroy in this part of the world