Spanish Empire in America
Empire
• A group of states or
countries under a single
supreme authority
American Empire Divided
• The Spanish Empire in
America was divided
into two section- New
Spain and Peru
• Included West Indies
Governing the Empire
• King Charles V, the King of
Spain sets up the colonial
government
• Catholic
• Opposed Protestant
Reformation
• Oversaw Spanish
colonization of Americas
• “Divine calling to preserve
Catholicism”
The Laws of the Indies
• Laws from Spain that
regulated social,
political, and economic
life in the colonies
• Created laws on how
natives should be dealt
with
• Outline for city planning
Laws of the Indies Continued
• Three Types of
Settlements set up
under the laws
• Pueblos-small town
with courtyard
• Presidios- military forts
and protection
• Missions- religious
settlements
Who Controlled the Colonies?
• Viceroys (governors)
controlled an area for
the king.
• Each region of the
empire had a viceroy
• Instituted laws,
collected taxes
• Had trouble enforcing
every little detail
Social Classes within the Empire: The Casta
System according to the Laws of the Indies
• Peninsulares: Born in ,
and sent by Spain to run
the colonies
• Only they, could hold
top positions in
government and
Catholic Church
• Large land holders
Social Classes within the Empire: The Casta
System according to the Laws of the Indies
• Creoles: Spanish
descendants born in
America
• Below peninsulares in
the social ladder
• Well-off
• Ranchers, bankers,
owned plantations
• Resented the
peninsulares
Social Classes within the Empire: The Casta
System according to the Laws of the Indies
• Mestizos: Mixed
Spanish and Indian
background.
• Worked on farms and
ranches owned by
creoles
Tragedy for Native Americans
• Taxed and worked
heavily
• Encomienda: Spanish
soldier or colonist was
granted a tract of land
or a village together
with its Indian
inhabitants.
Encomienda Continued
Encomienda Continued
Tragedy for Natives Continued
• Made to be slaves
• Worked in mines
• Worked on plantations
Tragedy for Natives Continued
• Death from new
diseases introduced by
Europeans
Death From Diseases
Slaves Imported From Africa
• Imported: Brought in
• Exported: Sent out
• First slaves imported
from Africa were
brought by the Spanish
to do hard labor and
replace dying Native
Americans
Spanish Culture in New World
• Introduced new language,
laws, religion, learning
• Hurricane, tobacco, canoe
(words than came to
Spanish from Indians)
• Built cities on old
foundations of Aztecs
• Used missionaries to
spread religion
• Set up many schools and
universities