European Colonization of Americas
1. Introduction to Global Interdependence (1500-1800)
The emergence of global interdependence marked a significant transformation of societies across the globe.
2. The Role of Doha Marina in Mexican Society
Doha Marina (La Malinche): Key figure in the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire.
Gave birth to mixed-ancestry (mestizo) children after the fall of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan.
Contributed to the formation of a new social structure in Mexico.
Died in 1527, but her legacy included the emerging mestizo culture.
3. Pre-Contact Interactions
Prior to 1492, limited contact existed between the eastern and western hemispheres.
Notable early interactions:
Norse explorers had a brief settlement in Newfoundland around 1000 CE.
Sporadic engagements between European fishermen and Native Americans occurred.
Significant Events Post-1492:
Columbus's voyage initiated regular trans-oceanic contacts, starting a new era of global interdependence.
4. European Technology and Dominance
Technological Advantages:
Europeans had superior military technology including guns, horses, and ships.
Disease immunity among Europeans led to catastrophic population declines among indigenous populations.
This allowed Europeans to establish control over the Americas, resulting in:
Territorial empires in Mexico and Peru under Spanish rule.
Portuguese sugar plantations in Brazil reliant on African slave labor.
5. The Spanish Conquest of the Americas
5.1. The Caribbean
First contact occurred in the Caribbean with the Taino people.
Taino engaged with Spanish traders initially with little resistance.
Columbus established the Spanish base at Hispaniola, leading to exploitation of the Taino labor.
5.2. Encomienda System
The encomienda system granted Spanish settlers rights to indigenous labor.
Resulted in severe mistreatment and decline of the Taino population due to overwork and disease.
6. Effects of Epidemic Diseases
Epidemic Outcomes:
Smallpox introduced in 1518 led to mass deaths among indigenous peoples.
By the mid-1540s, Taino populations drastically reduced from millions to a few thousand.
Overall, American societies were transformed due to disease and exploitation.
7. Major Conquests
7.1. The Conquest of the Aztec Empire
Hernan Cortes (1519-1521): Led the downfall of the Aztecs, exploiting internal divisions and disease.
Captured Motecuzoma II, leading to the siege and eventual capture of Tenochtitlan in 1521.
7.2. The Conquest of the Inca Empire
Francisco Pizarro (1532-1533): Similarly toppled the Inca through strategic alliances and disease.
Minor forces overwhelmed larger indigenous armies aided by local rivalries.
8. Establishment of Colonial Regimes
Spanish and Portuguese established viceroyalties with significant administrative structures in the Americas.
New Spain (Mexico) and New Castile (Peru) governed by viceroys reporting to the Spanish crown.
9. Formation of Multicultural Societies
9.1. Mestizo and Creole Communities
Mestizo Society: Mixed ancestry populations emerged, significantly affecting social structures in both Mexico and Peru.
Social Hierarchies: Peninsulares (Spanish born), Criollos (Spanish born in Americas), and mestizos were ranked accordingly.
9.2. Demographic Changes
Indigenous and African populations integrated into colonial societies, influencing cultural and social practices.
10. Economic Foundations of Empires
10.1. Agriculture and Mining
Economies were largely based on mining (silver in Mexico and Peru) and agriculture (sugar in Brazil).
10.2. Labor Systems
Moving from encomienda to debt peonage: labor force primarily indigenous, leading to exploitation and harsh conditions.
11. Resistance and Social Unrest
Indigenous resistance to Spanish rule manifested through uprisings such as the Pueblo Revolt (1680) and Tupac Amaru Rebellion (1780).
12. Sugar and Slave Labor in Brazil
Portuguese reliance on African slaves for sugar plantations, where they formed the majority population in Brazil.
Harsh conditions resulted in high mortality rates among enslaved workers.
13. The Fur Trade and Settler Colonies in North America
Initial focus on fishing transitioned to lucrative fur trade.
Settlers established plantation economies, particularly focused on tobacco and cash crops.
14. Impact of Christianity and Indigenous Religions
Missionaries aimed to convert indigenous peoples but faced resistance.
Many adopted a syncretic form of Christianity blending indigenous beliefs, exemplified by the Virgin of Guadalupe.
15. Conclusion
The early modern period was marked by epidemic diseases, technological invasions, and the establishment of new social hierarchies.
Oceania experienced changes later due to European contact involved with diseases and trade dynamics.