ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL | 7°ANO | HISTÓRIA | AULA 10 | 2021

Summary

In this lecture, Felipe Lopes delves into Spanish colonization, covering its origins in the 15th century due to the decline of feudalism and the rise of the bourgeoisie. He explores Columbus' unintentional discovery of the Americas, the establishment of Spanish vice-royalties, and the system of governance that differed from Portugal's. The lecture highlights the impact on indigenous populations, the social structure with elites like *Chapelones* and *Criollos*, and the economy driven by agriculture and mineral extraction. The session emphasizes the legacy of Spanish rule, encouraging students to understand its lasting influence on the Americas.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 15th-century expansion of trade led to the decline of feudalism and the rise of the bourgeoisie, which spurred the search for new resources.
• 😀 Christopher Columbus, intending to reach the Indies, accidentally discovered the Americas, starting the Spanish colonization of the New World.
• 😀 Spanish colonization encountered well-established civilizations like the Mayans, Incas, and Aztecs, which were destroyed through conquest and disease.
• 😀 The Spanish established *vice-royalties* (vice-reinos) rather than single colonies, which were direct extensions of the Spanish crown.
• 😀 The Spanish territories in the Americas were divided into vice-royalties like New Spain and Peru, each governed by a *viceroy* directly appointed by the king.
• 😀 Unlike Portuguese colonization, the Spanish system involved *vice-kings* and local *governors*, reflecting the vast nature of their empire.
• 😀 Diseases brought by Europeans, like the flu, decimated indigenous populations who had no immunity, leading to significant loss of life.
• 😀 Spanish society in the Americas was hierarchically structured with *Chapetones* (Spaniards born in Europe) at the top, followed by *Criollos* (Spaniards born in the Americas), and the indigenous people and enslaved Africans at the bottom.
• 😀 The Spanish economy in the Americas focused on mining (especially gold and silver) and agriculture, including the cultivation of sugar, tobacco, cotton, and cacao.
• 😀 The Spanish established complex systems for controlling their colonies, including the *Casa de Contratación*, which regulated trade, and the *Real Audiencia*, which acted as courts for colonial matters.

Q & A

What were the main drivers behind the Spanish colonization of the Americas?

The Spanish colonization was driven by the search for new natural resources to fuel European commerce, particularly due to the decline of the feudal system in Europe and the rise of the bourgeoisie class. The need for new trade routes and resources, especially spices, played a crucial role.

How did Christopher Columbus contribute to the Spanish colonization?

Christopher Columbus, in 1492, set sail from Spain to find a new route to the Indies, aiming to bring spices to Europe. Instead, he arrived in the Americas, marking the beginning of European colonization of the New World.

Why were diseases significant in the Spanish colonization of the Americas?

Diseases, brought by the Europeans, were catastrophic for the indigenous populations. Europeans had immunity to certain diseases, but the native populations in the Americas lacked this immunity, leading to widespread fatalities among them.

What were the main characteristics of Spanish colonial territories compared to Portuguese ones?

Spanish colonies were divided into separate vice-royalties, which were extensions of the Spanish Crown. Unlike the Portuguese system, which had captaincies in Brazil, Spanish territories were governed by appointed viceroys, and each vice-royalty operated almost independently.

What were the vice-royalties in Spanish America, and how were they structured?

The Spanish Empire divided its American territories into vice-royalties, such as the Viceroyalty of New Spain and the Viceroyalty of Peru. These were vast regions governed by viceroys appointed directly by the Spanish King, and they operated as extensions of the Spanish Crown.

What role did the 'Casa de Contratación' play in Spanish colonization?

The 'Casa de Contratación' was responsible for regulating trade and travel to the Americas. It kept records of individuals traveling to the colonies, controlled navigation maps, and oversaw the goods being transported to the New World.

What was the social hierarchy like in Spanish colonial society?

Spanish colonial society was hierarchical, with 'Chapetones' (the elite, including recent arrivals from Spain) at the top. Below them were the 'Criollos' (Spaniards born in the Americas), followed by mestizos, indigenous people, and enslaved Africans, who had lower social status.

How did the Spanish Crown attempt to manage its vast colonial territories in the Americas?

The Spanish Crown used the structure of vice-royalties, governed by appointed viceroys, to manage its territories. Over time, the crown established more 'captaincies' to improve local governance and address issues arising from the expansion and conflicts in the colonies.

What economic activities dominated Spanish colonies during the colonial period?

The Spanish economy in the colonies was largely based on agriculture, with crops such as sugar, tobacco, and cocoa being significant. Mining, particularly for gold and silver, was also crucial, contributing heavily to Spain's wealth.

How did slavery function within the Spanish colonial system?

Slavery in Spanish colonies was used to replace paid labor, mainly in agriculture and mining. Both indigenous peoples and Africans were enslaved, and the system was integral to the colonial economy.