Spanish Explorers and Colonies

1. Spanish Explorers and Colonies • In August of 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail to find a route to Asia by sailing west Across the Atlantic Ocean • In October of the same year, Columbus small fleet reached land. He thought he was in Asia, but was actually in North America • Excited about his discovery, the Spanish King funded more voyages for Columbus, to explore and colonize new lands • Columbus landed his ships, the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria on the Caribbean islands we now call San Salvador, near Cuba

2. Spanish Explorers and Colonies • Columbus' discoveries had a major impact on Native American, African and European societies • European's dominated native populations with advanced weapons and forced them into labor on plantations • Thousands of Native Americans died from European diseases for which they had no natural immunity • As populations declined, Europeans eventually began capturing Africans as slaves for American plantations

3. Spanish Explorers and Colonies • Columbus' voyages sparked thousands of Europeans to cross the Atlantic in search of a fresh start in the New World • National Rivalries exploded as European powers raced to secure dominance of the Western Hemisphere • Columbus and other explorers discovered many new plants and animals in the New World and brought many of them back to Europe • They also introduced diseases, plants and animals from Europe to North America. • This movement of living things became known as the Columbian Exchange

4. Spanish Explorers and Colonies • After Columbus, many explorers crossed the Atlantic to conquer lands for Spain • These men were known as conquistadors, which means “conquerors” • The most famous conquistador is Hernando Cortes. With a force of around 500 men, he conquered the Aztec Empire • Cortes beat the Aztec into submission to take their gold. They attempted a rebellion, But disease and the conquistadors superior weapons led to their surrender

5. Spanish Explorers and Colonies • The Spanish built a vast empire across North, Central and South America. • They defeated the Aztec in Central America and claimed their land and resources, renaming it New Spain • By 1532 the Spanish had defeated the mighty Inca Empire in South America • The Spanish also explored much of what is now the American Southwest, including New Mexico and California.

6. Spanish Explorers and Colonies • The Spanish not only explored and conquered lands in the Americas, but also sought to spread Christianity to Native populations • By the 1700s many Spanish Missions had been established in the American Soutwest for this purpose • These communities, often protected by forts, would become towns and later cities • Modern cities like San Diego, San Fransico and San Antonio began as Spanish Missions in the 1700s

7. Spanish Explorers and Colonies • Spanish rule, though widespread, would not last long. • The Spanish empire grew large and difficult to control • Many Native American groups, including the Pueblo, resisted the Spanish in uprisings and rebellions • Finally in 1588 England's fleet defeated the Spanish Armada on the Atlantic Ocean • This ended Spain's Atlantic dominance and opened the door for British colonization of North America