Spain and Colonial Rivalries

What motivated Spain to explore and establish colonies in the Americas?

Spain was motivated by the desire for territorial expansion, wealth, and the spread of Christianity, which shaped their treatment of Indigenous peoples.

What is the Reconquista and when did it end?

The Reconquista was the Christian reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim rule, ending in 1492.

What significant event occurred in 1492 related to Spain's exploration?

Columbus reached America, marking the beginning of Spanish colonization in the New World.

What is colonialism?

Colonialism is the process of a country spreading its population to build new settlements or outposts in distant lands, often impacting native populations.

What are Settler Colonies?

Settler Colonies are designed to create large settlements and cities for colonizers.

What are Extraction Colonies?

Extraction Colonies are designed to extract resources for the economy of the mother country, often relying on slave labor.

What was the Columbian Exchange?

The Columbian Exchange was the exchange of resources, food, and animals between the New and Old Worlds following Spanish colonization.

What was The Great Dying?

The Great Dying refers to the significant decline in the Native American population due to disease after contact with Europeans, with populations dropping to about 10% of their pre-contact numbers by 1600.

Who were the Conquistadors?

Conquistadors were small armies of Spaniards who set out to conquer the Americas using European tactics and firearms.

What was the Encomienda System?

The Encomienda System allowed conquistadors to rule over conquered land in the Americas as representatives of the Spanish King.

What happened to Tenochtitlan?

The Conquistadors razed Tenochtitlan after conspiring with its tributaries, leading to the conquest of modern-day Mexico.

What was the outcome of the Conquistadors' contact with the Incas?

The Conquistadors took advantage of the Inca's civil war and disease outbreaks to conquer much of the Andes, facing resistance for 40 years.

What are Crown Colonies?

Crown Colonies were territories directly loyal to the Spanish King, governed by Viceroys who acted as his representatives.

What was the Casta System?

The Casta System categorized people in the colonies based on their ethnic lineage, determining social status and rights.

What is Mercantilism?

Mercantilism is an economic theory that suggests kingdoms should hoard wealth, particularly gold and silver, often to the detriment of their colonies.

Why was Spanish Silver desirable in China?

Spanish Silver was desirable in China due to the Ming Dynasty's policies that increased demand for silver in trade.

What were the consequences of Spanish mining for silver?

The Spanish Empire's extensive silver mining led to inflation and ultimately bankruptcy due to mismanagement.

What key historical events occurred in 1206 and 1368?

In 1206, Temuchin became Genghis Khan; in 1368, the Ming Dynasty took power.

What significant events occurred in 1776 and 1789?

In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed; in 1789, the French Revolution began.

What was the Berlin Conference of 1885?

The Berlin Conference was a meeting where European powers negotiated the division of Africa among themselves.

What major global conflicts occurred between 1914 and 1945?

World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945) were major global conflicts during this period.

What was the significance of the Fall of the Soviet Union in 1991?

The Fall of the Soviet Union marked the end of the Cold War and significant political changes in Eastern Europe.

What two countries were early maritime empires that influenced European colonial rivalries?

Spain and Portugal

What religious movement contributed to tensions among European powers in the 1600s?

The Protestant Reformation

What was the significance of Personal Unions for Spain in Europe?

Spain attempted to claim influence in Europe through intermarriage with other monarchs, leading to threats and coalitions against them.

What major conflict arose due to Spain's attempts to form Personal Unions?

The Thirty Years War

What unintended consequence resulted from Spain's mass-selling of silver to the Ming Dynasty?

The unofficial creation of a standardized currency for trade.

What was the Commercial Revolution?

A series of monetary advancements in Europe characterized by the rise of inflation and reliance on globalized trade.

What are Joint Stock Companies?

Colonial corporations funded by selling stocks to citizens.

Which company established a trade network with Native Americans in Canada and Louisiana?

The French East India Company

What valuable resource did the French East India Company primarily purchase during the Little Ice Age?

Fur

Which country out-competed Portugal for access to the Indian Ocean?

The Netherlands

What was the Seven Years War known for?

It was the first 'world war' involving fighting across Europe, North America, and India.

What was the outcome of the Seven Years War for Britain?

Britain emerged as the dominant colonial empire, replacing Spain.

What significant territory did Britain gain from France after the Seven Years War?

Canada

What period is referred to as the Golden Age of Piracy?

The time after the Personal Union Wars and the Seven Years War when privateers turned to piracy.

What was the role of privateer fleets during the Personal Union Wars and the Seven Years War?

They disrupted enemy colonial merchant ships and seized their cargo.

What cultural spheres of influence were discussed in the note?

Sinosphere, Mediterranean, Indosphere, Dar al-Islam, Russosphere, and The West.

Which empires were part of the Gunpowder Empires discussed in the note?

Ottomans, Safavids, and Mughals.

What was the impact of the Mongol legacy on the Medieval Era?

It led to a resurgence of cultures and the rise of trade.

What were the main colonial powers mentioned in the note?

Spain, Britain, France, and the Netherlands.

What was the significance of the Thirteen Colonies for Britain?

They represented Britain's growing influence and competition in the Americas.