Section 2

Conquest and Colonies

 

Main Idea: European countries established colonies in the newly discovered lands. Sometimes, they forcefully took the land

 

Spain

            -Caribbean

                        -First areas settled by Spain (Hispaniola and Cuba)

                        -Ecomienda System

                                    -Colonist given land and certain number of natives to work the land

                                                -Colonist taught natives Christianity

                                                -Natives treated like slaves

                                                -New diseases wiped out native population

                                                            -Smallpox, TB

            -Mexico

                        -Cortes led expedition to Mexico

                                    -Conquistador (military leader who fought against natives)

                                    -Conquered Aztec Empire

                                                -Moctezuma II leader of Aztecs

                                                            -Unpopular with some of his subjects

                                                            -Killed by Cortes after being taken prisoner

                                                                        -Cortes demanded room of gold for ransom

                                                -Had metal weapons, guns, horses, and armor

            -Peru

                        -Francisco Pizarro conquered Incas

                                    -Incas hit with smallpoxàvery weak

                                    -Took their leader, Atahualpa, prisoner

                                                -Killed by Spaniards

            -Life in the Spanish colonies

                        -Viceroys ruled areas in the name of the king

                        -Economics based on gold and silver

                        -Natives treated like slaves (90% died)

                        -Some Spaniards wanted better treatment of natives

 

Portugal

            -Treaty of Tordesillas (1494)

                        -Imaginary lineàEverything west belonged to Spain; East to Portugal

                        -Only Brazil belonged to Portugal

                                    -Lots of jungleànot good farming/mining

                                                -Used natives then African slaves

 

Other Countries

            -France

                        -Had colonies in Canada (wanted to find gold)

                        -Got rich through trade (fish, furs)

                       

                        -Did not have large number of colonists

                        -Did not enslave natives

                        -Explored Mississippi RiveràClaimed Louisiana territory for France

                                    -La Salle

            -Dutch

                        -Colonies in “New England” area

                        -Interested in trade

                        -Bought the island of Manhattan

                        -Founded New Amsterdam (NYC)

                        -Americas not big priority for Dutch (Asia was)

            -British

                        -Jamestown (1607)àFirst English colony

                                    -80% of original settlers died

                        -Pilgrims (1620)

                        -Had fights with French over land

                                    -British moved west to French-claimed land

                                    -1754àSeven Years War (AKA French and Indian War)

                                                -France surrendersàGives up most colonies

                                                -British try to recoup war debt by taxing colonists

                                                            -Beginnings of a revolution

                                               


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