AP World HistoryMs. Tully

EARLY LATIN AMERICA

CH. 19

Reconquista Christian reconquest of Iberian peninsula Conquest of Americas

Urban, patriarchal societyExtension of slaveryProfessional bureaucracyClose link between church/statePlantations agriculture New nobilityFocus on Mexico & PeruDestruction of indigenous societiesThree Periods of Conquest

THE IBERIAN CONQUEST

Caribbean = Model/testing ground of conquestEncomienda = grant of indigenous people to

individual Spaniards (serfdom) Introduction of Spanish towns & institutions Increased immigration by 16 th C era of settlement Depopulation of natives led to importation of African

slavesGrowth of plantation agricultureEspecially in Brazil

THE CARIBBEAN CRUCIBLE

Hernan Cortes & the Aztecs – 1519Francisco Pizarro & the Incas – 1532Francisco Vazquez de Coronado & the American SW –

1540-42Pedro de Valdivia & the Araucanians – 1541

SPANISH CONQUISTADORS

Expeditions often based on contractsConquest seen as an opportunity for social

advancement Encomienda system encouraged new nobilityReasons for Spanish success

Technology/horses Disease Vulnerability of civs

Worst abuses of native population decreased by 1570

THE AGE OF CONQUEST

Severe population decline – slaving, mistreatment, disease

Demographic collapse also affected traditional social & economic structures

Encomiendas destructive – phased out by mid-16 th CMita system introduced Growth of wage laborResiliency of native culture – selective adaptation of

European culture

THE EFFECTS OF CONQUEST – INDIGENOUS SOCIETIES

Mining the base of colonial economy – Potosi, Zacatecas

Mining stimulated other aspects of the economy Agrarian economy supported by growth of haciendasSpanish American colonies mostly self-sufficient

only needed luxury goods from EuropeSpain & consulados had tight control over trade Spanish used fleet of galleons to protect goodsSpain’s wealth used to pay for European wars, long-

term debts, and manufactured goodsSilver influx caused inflation, price revolution in 16 th C

COLONIAL ECONOMIES

Treaty of Tordesillas – divided territory between PR & SP

Extensive bureaucratic system in Spanish AmericaLetrados – university-trained lawyers from SpainCouncil of the Indies Viceroyalties – Mexico & PeruViceroys – high-ranking nobles who were direct

representatives of the kingRoyal magistrates worked at local level frequent

corruptionChurch instituted parishes & bishoprics Schools run by church/clergy Extension of Inquisition

COLONIAL GOVERNMENT

Pedro Alvarez Cabral claimed Brazil for PRCapitaincies – strips of land awarded to minor PR

noblesGrowth of plantation agricultureLeading sugar producer – required lots of capital &

laborSocial hierarchy reflected plantation culture Intellectual subordination & economic dependency

BRAZIL – THE PLANTATION COLONY

Competition from BR, DU, FR in Caribbean disrupted sugar economy

Paulistas discover gold in Minas Gerais, 1695Gold Rush – 5000 immigrants/year Opened interior to settlement New towns, new marketsPromoted detrimental economic policies

BRAZIL’S AGE OF GOLD

New world society a mixture of Indians, Europeans, and Africans

Mixed marriages/coupling led to large mestizo & mulatto population

Sociedad de castas social hierarchy based on racial origins

Castas people of mixed originPeninsulares people born on Iberian peninsulaCreoles whites born in New World Racial hierarchy combined with traditional Iberian

distinctions based on gender, age, and class

SOCIETY OF CASTAS

18 th C defined by increase in intellectual activity, new realities

Amigos del Pais small clubs that discussed potential reform

Spain weak by 18thC wars, debt, depopulation, revolts

New competition from BR, FR; seized Caribbean islands

Failure of Spanish mercantile & political systemWar of Spanish Succession (1702-1713)

SPAIN IN THE 18TH C

Charles III “enlightened despotism” series of reforms to strengthen Spanish empire

Reforms promoted economic & commercial development of colonies

Jose de Galvez investigations reveal abuse/corruption

French bureaucratic model introduced intendantsCreoles removed from positions of powerSeven Years War loss of some Spanish possessionsMilitary/defensive reformsEconomic reforms damaged local economiesShort term restructuring revived Spanish EmpireLong term promoted dissatisfaction among elite

BOURBON REFORMS

Marquis of Pombal arranged PR reforms for BrazilRevitalize the colonies to strengthen mother countryFiscal reforms eliminate contraband, gold

smuggling, tax evasionMonopolies formed to stimulate agriculture new

markets in new regionsEliminated slavery in PR to focus supply on BrazilEncouraged intermarriage between natives & whitesReforms not fully effective demand for Brazilian

products low, but later economic boom

POMBAL AND BRAZIL

Colonies experienced rapid population growthOld patterns of power & influence disrupted Colonial revolts from whites, mixed races, and natives

in Spanish coloniesGov’t activism colonial dissatisfactionEconomic prosperity encouraged self-confidenceSet the stage for independence movements of 19 th C

REFORMS, REACTIONS, & REVOLTS