Virreinato del Perú

Summary

This script delves into the exploration and colonization of the Americas by the Portuguese, Spanish, and other European navigators from the 15th century onwards. It highlights the political, economic, and religious motives behind these expeditions, which led to the discovery of new lands and the establishment of colonies. The Spanish conquests in Central and South America, the exploitation of indigenous populations, and the cultural exchanges that followed are emphasized. The script also touches on the resistance movements, the establishment of the Viceroyalty, and the lasting impact of the colonial period on the indigenous societies, including the spread of diseases, the encomienda system, and the blending of cultures.

Takeaways

• 🛶 The script discusses the exploration voyages of the 15th century by the Portuguese and later the Spanish, seeking alternative trade routes to the Mediterranean and leading to the discovery of new lands in Africa, Asia, and America.
• 🏴‍☠️ It highlights the Spanish conquests in the Americas, beginning with Christopher Columbus's 1492 journey, which led to the colonization of territories in Central and South America.
• 👑 The conquests were characterized by being a political project of the Spanish crown, financed by private investors, and supported by the Catholic Church with the aim of evangelization.
• 🗺️ The script mentions key explorers like Hernán Cortés and Vasco Núñez de Balboa, and significant events such as the discovery of the Pacific Ocean and the conquest of the Aztec Empire.
• 🛡️ The capture of Inca Atahualpa by Pizarro is detailed, including the infamous 'ransom room' filled with gold and silver, and the subsequent execution of Atahualpa despite the payment.
• 🤝 The establishment of alliances with indigenous groups who were discontented with Inca rule, and the foundation of cities like San Miguel de Piura, are noted as strategic moves by the Spanish.
• 🏰 The script describes the transformation of the Andean region with the introduction of the encomienda system, the foundation of Spanish cities, and the evangelization efforts.
• 📉 It outlines the drastic reduction of the indigenous population due to diseases like smallpox, overwork, and the loss of will to live, leading to a demographic collapse.
• ⚔️ Resistance by indigenous peoples, such as the rebellion led by Manco Inca and the ideological resistance known as Taki Onqoy, is summarized, showing the struggle against Spanish rule.
• 👥 The social structure of the colonial period is described, with distinctions made between the indigenous people, the Spanish (both from Spain and the Americas), and the blacks, including the emergence of a mestizo population.
• 🏛️ The script touches on the cultural impact of the Spanish, including the spread of the Spanish language, new religious practices, and the blending of Andean and European cuisine and agricultural practices.

Q & A

What were the primary motivations for the exploration voyages by the Portuguese and Spanish in the 15th century?

The primary motivations were to find alternative routes to the Mediterranean for trade with distant regions and to establish settlements in new lands.

Who was the Italian-born navigator that led the Spanish to America in 1492?

Cristóbal Colón, commonly known as Christopher Columbus, led the expedition to America in 1492.

What was the main idea that initiated Columbus's first voyage?

Columbus believed that all seas were interconnected, and he thought he could reach the East by sailing west.

Which territories did the Spanish conquer in Central and South America?

The Spanish conquered territories that are now known as Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia.

What were the three main characteristics of the Spanish conquests in the Americas?

The conquests were a political project of the Spanish crown, financed by private investors, and included the Catholic Church's participation for the evangelization of the indigenous people.

Who was the first European to reach the Pacific Ocean and what did he call it?

Vasco Núñez de Balboa was the first European to reach the Pacific Ocean, which he called the 'Mar del Sur' or 'South Sea'.

What was the primary resource that Francisco Pizarro and his men sought when they arrived on the Pacific coast in 1532?

The primary resource they sought was gold, as they had heard of a very rich country.

How did the Spanish take advantage of the situation when they arrived in Tumbes?

They found that there was a civil war between two Inca brothers, Huáscar and Atahualpa, which Pizarro used to his advantage.

What was the outcome of the meeting between Pizarro and Atahualpa in Cajamarca?

The meeting resulted in a surprise attack by the Spanish, causing a massacre and the capture of Atahualpa.

What was the significance of the 'encomienda' system introduced after the conquest?

The 'encomienda' system was a way to distribute indigenous people to Spanish conquistadors, who were obligated to protect and evangelize the indigenous people in exchange for labor and tribute.

What was the impact of the Spanish conquest on the indigenous population in terms of population decline?

The indigenous population declined dramatically from approximately 9 million people to 600,000 within about 150 years due to epidemics, massacres, forced labor, and a loss of will to live.

What were the main objectives of the reducciones created during the colonial period?

The reducciones were created to group the indigenous population into towns, facilitate the collection of tributes, and organize the mita, a system of forced labor in agriculture, mines, and textile workshops.

Who was the first indigenous leader to resist Spanish rule after being appointed by Pizarro?

Manco Inca was the first indigenous leader to resist Spanish rule after being appointed by Pizarro, leading a rebellion in 1536.

What was the significance of the 'Taki Onqoy' movement in 1565?

The 'Taki Onqoy' movement was a significant cultural and religious resistance against Spanish rule, advocating for the expulsion of the Spanish and a return to pre-conquest conditions.

What were the main disputes among the Spanish conquistadors in the early years of the colony?

The main disputes among the Spanish conquistadors were over territories, wealth, and power, particularly between the followers of Almagro and Pizarro, leading to conflicts known as the Almagrista and Pizarrist wars.

What was the purpose of the 'mita' system during the colonial period?

The 'mita' system was a form of forced labor that required indigenous people to work in agriculture, mines, and textile workshops, providing the Spanish with cheap labor for their enterprises.

What were the main activities of the Spanish in Peru during the colonial period?

The main activities included mining, particularly for silver in Potosi, textile manufacturing in obrajes, agriculture and livestock farming in haciendas, and trade under a commercial monopoly system.

What was the impact of the Spanish conquest on the indigenous economy?

The indigenous economy continued with activities such as agriculture, fishing, and livestock rearing, but many indigenous people were also incorporated into the Spanish economy through forced labor systems like the mita and encomienda.

How did the Spanish conquest influence the religious practices of the indigenous people?

The Catholic religion spread widely, but in some religious festivals, the new beliefs introduced by the Spanish were mixed with the indigenous beliefs, as seen in the 'coi urit' festival in the Cusco region.

What were the main contributions of the Spanish to the cultural and artistic development of Peru?

The Spanish introduced new artistic forms such as painting and architecture, with the construction of churches in various styles, and the development of textile manufacturing techniques.

What were the roles of women during the colonial period in Peru?

Women had fewer rights than men, and their roles were largely confined to the domestic sphere. However, some women, particularly those of Spanish descent, held positions of influence, while indigenous and black women often worked in agriculture and domestic service.