Spanish Empire in America Empire A group of

Spanish Empire in America

Empire • A group of states or countries under a single supreme authority

American Empire Divided • The Spanish Empire in America was divided into two section- New Spain and Peru • Included West Indies

Governing the Empire • King Charles V, the King of Spain sets up the colonial government • Catholic • Opposed Protestant Reformation • Oversaw Spanish colonization of Americas • “Divine calling to preserve Catholicism”

The Laws of the Indies • Laws from Spain that regulated social, political, and economic life in the colonies • Created laws on how natives should be dealt with • Outline for city planning

Laws of the Indies Continued • Three Types of Settlements set up under the laws • Pueblos-small town with courtyard • Presidios- military forts and protection • Missions- religious settlements

Who Controlled the Colonies? • Viceroys (governors) controlled an area for the king. • Each region of the empire had a viceroy • Instituted laws, collected taxes • Had trouble enforcing every little detail

Social Classes within the Empire: The Casta System according to the Laws of the Indies • Peninsulares: Born in , and sent by Spain to run the colonies • Only they, could hold top positions in government and Catholic Church • Large land holders

Social Classes within the Empire: The Casta System according to the Laws of the Indies • Creoles: Spanish descendants born in America • Below peninsulares in the social ladder • Well-off • Ranchers, bankers, owned plantations • Resented the peninsulares

Social Classes within the Empire: The Casta System according to the Laws of the Indies • Mestizos: Mixed Spanish and Indian background. • Worked on farms and ranches owned by creoles

Tragedy for Native Americans • Taxed and worked heavily • Encomienda: Spanish soldier or colonist was granted a tract of land or a village together with its Indian inhabitants.

Encomienda Continued

Encomienda Continued

Tragedy for Natives Continued • Made to be slaves • Worked in mines • Worked on plantations

Tragedy for Natives Continued • Death from new diseases introduced by Europeans

Death From Diseases

Slaves Imported From Africa • Imported: Brought in • Exported: Sent out • First slaves imported from Africa were brought by the Spanish to do hard labor and replace dying Native Americans

Spanish Culture in New World • Introduced new language, laws, religion, learning • Hurricane, tobacco, canoe (words than came to Spanish from Indians) • Built cities on old foundations of Aztecs • Used missionaries to spread religion • Set up many schools and universities