Columbus and the European Conquest of America

1
Columbus and the European Conquest of America
2
A Map of the Known World, pre- 1492
3
Points From Readings

• Columbuss Landfall
• 1. Confusion over first sighting
• 2. greeting from natives
• 3. description of natives
• De Las Casas Defends the Indians
• 1. Indian society prior to Spanish arrival
• 2. description of Indian character (3rd para)?
• 3. skills of the Indians
• 4. Indian acceptance of Christianity

4
Motives for European Exploration

• Crusades ? by-pass intermediaries to get to Asia.
• Renaissance ? curiosity about other lands and
  peoples.
• Reformation ? refugees missionaries.
• Monarchs seeking new sources of revenue.
• Technological advances.
• Fame and fortune.

5
Christofo Colon 1451-1506
6
Columbuss First Landing

• October 12, 1492 lands in Bahamas, names it San
  Salvador
• Gift exchange

Leaves behind 30 men and first European
settlement, La Navidad
7
Columbuss Four Voyages
1st returns to Spain with plants, animals, and
six Indian exhibits no gold
2nd returns to vacated La Navidad explores
Cuba and Hispaniola returns with 300 Indian
slaves, beginning of trans-Atlantic slave trade
founds La Isabela
3rd explores Venezuela arrested and sent back
to Spain in chains spends three years in prison
4th explores Panama and Central American coast
8
Impact of Columbus

• Opening of America to other European exploration
• Beginning of trans-Atlantic trade
• Spread of European culture and religion to New
  World
• The slave trade and destruction of native
  cultures

9
Other Voyages of Exploration
10
The First Spanish ConquestsThe Aztecs
vs.
Fernando Cortez
Montezuma II
11
The First Spanish Conquests
The Incas
vs.
Ruins of Incan Capitol
Francisco Pizarro
Atahualpa
12
The Columbian Exchange
13
The Slave Trade
Existed in Africa before the coming of the
Europeans. Between 16c 19c, about 10
million Africans shipped to the Americas.
14
Slave Ship
Middle Passage
15
European Empires in the Americas
Gold and silver from Americas put Spain ahead of
European rivals
16
Impact of European Exploration

• Native populations ravaged by disease.
• Influx of gold, and especially silver, into
  Europe created an inflationary economic
  climate.Price Revolution
• New products introduced across the continents
  Columbian Exchange.
• Deepened colonial rivalries.