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Portugal set it off. But, Spain hit the jackpot (Silver jackpot!). Portugal may have lead the way around Africa, but Spain essentially takes the New World by storm. In the history of the world, the Portuguese empire was was the 21st largest, ever; but, Spain...4th! The story of the Spanish Empire is dominated by the Americas, and that means Conquistadors, death, and destruction. However, it is important to focus on the interactions between the Native Americans (specifically, the Aztecs and Incas) and the Spanish Empire. There is a good bit to know here and (IMO) Spain and, later, the Dutch are the most important of these Maritime Empires. Why? Well, this is the only real time both of them will be brought up (unless its in regards to them losing empire). Plus, the Spanish v. Americans storyline is one of the most important interactions--ever-- in World History. The British Empire is a larger empire, yes, but not in this period. So, invest some time here with the Spanish Empire:
Spanish Exploration is focused on the 'New World', the Americas (Central & South America)
Spanish Exploration is focused on the 'New World', the Americas (Central & South America)
Toscanelli's map
The original of this letter was lost, but its existence is known through Toscanelli himself, who later transcribed it along with the map and sent it to Christopher Columbus, who carried them with him during his first trips to the New World.
Toscanelli's map
The original of this letter was lost, but its existence is known through Toscanelli himself, who later transcribed it along with the map and sent it to Christopher Columbus, who carried them with him during his first trips to the New World.
The ‘First homage to Columbus, October 1492, by José Garnelo y Alda in 1892.
The work depicts Columbus landing in the New World on the island of Guanahani (in today's Bahama Archipelago), and the new lands being taken over in the name of the Spanish monarchs on October 12, 1492.
The ‘First homage to Columbus, October 1492, by José Garnelo y Alda in 1892.
The work depicts Columbus landing in the New World on the island of Guanahani (in today's Bahama Archipelago), and the new lands being taken over in the name of the Spanish monarchs on October 12, 1492.
Decisive Modern Battles: Tenochtitlán (1521), artist unknown
The painting is of the 1521 Battle of Tenochtitlán, Cortez's second attempt to seize the Aztec capital. This was battle, though, as the Spanish use native allies who were also hostile to the Aztecs. But, also notice in the image the blockade of the causeways by use of horses and the ships involved in the canals. Many of these tactics were picked up watching and learning from the Ottoman campaigns against Christian Europe.
Decisive Modern Battles: Tenochtitlán (1521), artist unknown
The painting is of the 1521 Battle of Tenochtitlán, Cortez's second attempt to seize the Aztec capital. This was battle, though, as the Spanish use native allies who were also hostile to the Aztecs. But, also notice in the image the blockade of the causeways by use of horses and the ships involved in the canals. Many of these tactics were picked up watching and learning from the Ottoman campaigns against Christian Europe.
Execution of Atahualpa, Last Emperor of the Incan Empire
During the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire, the Spaniard Francisco Pizarro captured Atahualpa and used him to control the Inca empire. The outnumbered Spanish saw Atahualpa as too much of a liability and decided to execute him on August 29, 1533. Prior, Pizarro staged a mock trial and found Atahualpa guilty of revolting against the Spanish & practicing heresy sentencing him to death.
Execution of Atahualpa, Last Emperor of the Incan Empire
During the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire, the Spaniard Francisco Pizarro captured Atahualpa and used him to control the Inca empire. The outnumbered Spanish saw Atahualpa as too much of a liability and decided to execute him on August 29, 1533. Prior, Pizarro staged a mock trial and found Atahualpa guilty of revolting against the Spanish & practicing heresy sentencing him to death.
Steel Engraving American 1870 After A Painting By Alonzo Chappel
Las castas
Casta painting showing 16 racial groupings; Casta is a term which means "lineage" in Spanish and has been interpreted by certain historians during the 20th century to describe mixed-race individuals in Spanish America resulting from European Spanish marrying natives or Africans. Basic mixed-race categories that appeared in official colonial documentation were mestizo, generally offspring of a Spaniard and an indigenous person; and mulato, offspring of a Spaniard and a black African.
Las castas
Casta painting showing 16 racial groupings; Casta is a term which means "lineage" in Spanish and has been interpreted by certain historians during the 20th century to describe mixed-race individuals in Spanish America resulting from European Spanish marrying natives or Africans. Basic mixed-race categories that appeared in official colonial documentation were mestizo, generally offspring of a Spaniard and an indigenous person; and mulato, offspring of a Spaniard and a black African.
Spanish shipping routes 1750-1800 visualized using modern mapping technologies
Spanish shipping routes 1750-1800 visualized using modern mapping technologies
Isabella I of Castile
Isabella I of Castile
Queen Isabella is perhaps most notable for working with Christopher Columbus. Three months after she and her husband, Ferdinand, took Granada from the Muslims, she agreed to sponsor Columbus on his goal to sail west and reach the indies. They agreed to pay him a sum of money for his expedition. Columbus and his crew set sail on August 3, 1492.
Ferdinand II of Aragon
Ferdinand II of Aragon
King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella were the first monarchs to rule a united Spain. They are remembered for sponsoring Christopher Columbus' voyage across the Atlantic in 1492. But the importance of their reign was even more far-reaching. With their marriage, Ferdinand and Isabella united Aragón and Castile, Spain's two most powerful kingdoms. This union laid the foundation of a mighty empire. It dominated Europe and the New World for well over 100 years.
Francisco Pizarro
Francisco Pizarro
In 1532 Pizarro landed on the coast of South America. He established the first Spanish settlement in Peru called San Miguel de Piura. Meanwhile the Inca had just fought a civil war between two brothers, Atahualpa and Huascar. Their father, the emperor, had died and both wanted his throne. Atahualpa won the war, but the country was weakened from the internal battles. Pizarro used this turmoil and the fact that many Inca were also sick from diseases such as smallpox to dominate the Inca. Pizarro will later execute the last Inca king, Atahualpa.
Hernán Cortés
Hernán Cortés
Cortes heard of the gold and treasures of the Aztecs. He wanted to conquer them and take their treasure for Spain. He requested a meeting with the Aztec Emperor, Montezuma II, but was repeatedly turned down. He then decided to march to the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan. Gathering a force of 500 men, Cortes began to march to to the heart of the Aztec Empire. Along the way he met with tribes who hated the Aztecs and he made alliances with them, including the powerful Tlaxcala people. He laid siege to the city and eventually conquered the city and with it the Aztec Empire. Cortes and his men execute the last Aztec emperor, Montezuma II.
Bartolomé de Las Casas
Bartolomé de Las Casas
Bartolomé de Las Casas (c. 1484–July 18, 1566) was a Spanish Dominican friar who became famous for his defense of the rights of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas. His brave stand against the horrors of the conquest and the colonization of the New World earned him the title “Defender of the Indigenous peoples." Las Casas' efforts led to legal reforms and early debates about the idea of human rights.
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