Spain and the New World

• In 1500 Spain was a new nation after king Ferdinand and Queen Isabella got married.
• On October 12 Christopher Columbus landed his ship on the Bahamas.
• Hispaniola & Cuba:

  Locals worked the land under management of their Chiefs. Payed a portion of their produce to the Spanish holder. Native islanders were forced to mine for gold and silver.
• Diego Velazquez:

  • Wanted to be rich and powerful
  • Believe gold could be found in central america
• Conquistadors:

  • In their twenties and early thirties
  • Unmarried
  • Few minor nobles
  • Middle and lower class
  • Had fighting experience
  • Few professional soldiers
  • Income relied on success
  • Could not find income in Spain
• Europeans excited to discover new worlds and expanding human knowledge
• Reports of a fountain of youth in the americas. Myths like this were common
• Early 16th century time of economic hardship in Spain, especially in agricultural west
• The long war of Reconquista against Muslim occupiers had created a strong military culture in Spain.
• Spain was a new country and many wanted it to become an Empire.
• Spain had a huge demand for gold and america was said to have loads.
• The Spanish monarchs wanted to win approval of pope by converting the Aztecs
• Resources in Hispaniola and Cuba were used up