Spain Builds an American Empire

1. Spanish Conquests in Mexico

1.1. After colonizing several Caribbean islands, the Spanish had turned their attention to the American mainland

1.2. Conquistadors- Conquerors

1.3. The Spanish were the first European settlers in the Americas.

1.4. Cortes goes to the Aztec capitol of Tenochtitlan. The Aztec emperor, Monetzuma II, was convinced that Aztec was a god wearing armor.

1.5. He agreed to give the Spanish explorer a share of the empire's existing gold supply.

1.6. In June 1520 the Aztecs rebelled against the Spanish.

1.7. The Spanish struck back and conquered the Aztecs. The Spanish had some advantages. 1- Advanced Weaponry. 2- Cortes inlisted the help of various native groups.

2. Spanish Conquests in Peru

2.1. Fransico Pizarro marched a small force into South America.

2.2. He Kidnapped the Incan ruler Atahualpa. He had the Spaniards wait in an ambush to crush the Incan force.

2.3. Atahualpa offerd to fill a room once with gold and twice with silver in exchange for his release.

2.4. By the middle of the 16th century Spain had created an American empire.

2.5. The relationship between the Spanish settlers and native women were in common it created a large mestizo

2.6. Encomienda- a grant of land made by Spain to a settler in Americas.

3. Spain's influence Expands

3.1. Spain's American coloines helped make it the richest,most powerful nation in the world during much of the 16th century.

3.1.1. New node

3.2. The Spanish strengthened their other military forces, by creating a skillful and determined army.

3.3. Before the Spanish built their empire on the American mainland, they actually settled in parts of the U.S.

3.4. They built a capital called Santa Fe, or "Holy Faith".

3.5. Scatters Missions, forts, and small ranches dotted the lands of New Mexico.

4. The Voyages of Columbus

4.1. October 12, 1492- Columbus thought he reached the East Indies

4.2. Columbus called the surprised people who greated him, los indios, which means indian.

4.3. Columbus claimed the island for Spain and named it San Salvador, which means Holy Savior.

4.4. In 1493 Columbus returned to Spain and told of his journey. The men who funded his trip agreed to fund three more.

4.5. He journeyed to the americas no longer as an explorer, but as an empire builder.

4.6. The spanish intended to transform the islands of the Caribbean into colonies or lands that are controlled by another nation.

4.7. Amerigo Vespucci returned to Europe and claimed that the "land" was not part of Asia but a new world. It was called America in his honor.

4.8. In 1519 Ferdinand Magellan led an exploration around the southern end of South America and into the waters of the Pacific.

4.9. Magellan reached the Philippines and engaged in a civil war there and was killed.

4.10. Out of Magellan's original crew only 18 men and one ship arrived back in Spain in 1522.