Spanish Colonization + Columbian Exchange

Colombian Exchange

This was the transfer of people, animals, and plants

between Europe, Africa, and the Americas starting in the late 15th century.

Disease

The most immediate and devastating result was the introduction of new

diseases, such as smallpox, to which Native Americans had no immunity. This

caused a massive population decline across the Americas in the 1500s.

Racial Hierarcy in

Spanish colonies developed a rigid racial hierarchy rather

than a homogeneous society

Encomienda System

This system was designed to marshal Native American

labor specifically to support agriculture and mining. It is distinct from chattel

slavery because it focused on exploiting local indigenous labor rather than

imported African labor.

Slavery:

While the Encomienda system focused on Native Americans, Spanish slave labor system relied primarily on enslaved Africans acquired

through trade with West Africa.

Spanish Perspective

Conquistadors like Hernán Cortés viewed indigenous

religions as "idolatries" and actively sought to remove idols and replace them with Christian images

Native Resistance

Native leaders, such as the lords of Tenochtitlan, resisted

conversion. They argued that their customs were ancient and stable, stating they

would rather die than give up worshiping their gods