European conquest of America

Geo History

9 Nov 201809:10

Summary

TLDRThis script traces the major events of European exploration and colonization from the 15th century onward. It highlights Columbus's expeditions, the Treaty of Tordesillas between Spain and Portugal, and the conquests of the Aztec and Inca empires. The video also discusses the impact of European diseases, the exploitation of indigenous people, and the transatlantic slave trade. It further covers the rise of European colonies in the Americas, the struggle for independence, and key territorial expansions, ultimately leading to the complete colonization of the continent.

Takeaways

🌍 European exploration in the 15th century was largely driven by the desire to break Asian trade route monopolies held by Venice and Genoa.
⛵ Christopher Columbus, backed by Spain, set sail in 1492, discovering the Bahamian islands and believing he had reached the East Indies.
👑 Spain and Portugal divided newly discovered lands by the Treaty of Tordesillas, with Spain claiming territories to the west and Portugal to the east.
💀 European diseases, such as smallpox, decimated native populations in the Americas during the period of conquest and colonization.
⚔️ Conquistadors like Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro used local alliances and force to conquer large empires like the Aztec and Inca civilizations.
💰 Colonies in the New World became sources of valuable resources like gold, silver, maize, and tobacco, which were exported to Europe.
⛪ The Spanish mission in the Americas also had a religious component, with the Franciscans arriving to convert the indigenous population to Christianity.
🚢 The transatlantic slave trade surged in the mid-17th century, with European ships transporting enslaved Africans to the Americas for labor in plantations.
🇺🇸 The American colonies rebelled against British rule in the 18th century, eventually declaring independence in 1776 and forming the United States.
🌎 By the 19th century, almost all of the Americas had been colonized, with indigenous resistance in regions like southern South America being the last to fall.

Q & A

What major trade routes did European powers focus on before the discovery of America?
-Before the discovery of America, European powers primarily focused on trade routes to Asia, where silk, spices, and other valuable goods originated. The Mediterranean Sea was dominated by the republics of Venice and Genoa, who controlled much of the lucrative trade between Europe and the East.
Why did Christopher Columbus seek support from the Spanish monarchs after being rejected by the Portuguese king?
-The Portuguese king rejected Columbus's proposal because Portugal was more focused on exploring routes around Africa to reach Asia. After this refusal, Columbus turned to the Spanish monarchs, who eventually agreed to fund his expedition, hoping to find a new westward route to Asia.
What did Columbus believe he had discovered upon reaching the Bahamian archipelago?
-Columbus believed he had discovered islands near Asia, specifically around Cathay (China) and Cipango (Japan). Convinced he had reached the East Indies, he called the indigenous people he encountered 'Indians.'
What was the significance of the Treaty of Tordesillas?
-The Treaty of Tordesillas, created to avoid conflict between Spain and Portugal, divided the newly discovered lands outside Europe. Lands to the west of a meridian line went to Spain, while those to the east were reserved for Portugal. This division had long-lasting implications for the colonization of the Americas.
How did diseases brought by Europeans impact the indigenous populations of the Americas?
-Diseases such as smallpox, which were previously unknown in the Americas, spread rapidly among the indigenous populations, leading to significant loss of life. These diseases, introduced by Europeans, played a major role in weakening native societies and making them more vulnerable to conquest.
What role did Hernán Cortés play in the fall of the Aztec Empire?
-Hernán Cortés led a Spanish expedition to the Aztec Empire. Using a combination of diplomacy and force, he allied with local tribes that were hostile to the Aztecs. After a prolonged siege and the outbreak of smallpox, the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan fell, and Cortés became the governor of New Spain.
Who was Amerigo Vespucci, and why is the American continent named after him?
-Amerigo Vespucci was an explorer who traveled to the New World multiple times. He was the first to suggest that the lands Columbus had discovered were not part of Asia but a new continent altogether. The continent was named 'America' in his honor.
How did the transatlantic slave trade develop, and what role did it play in the colonies?
-The transatlantic slave trade developed in the mid-17th century as European ships began transporting African slaves to the Americas. These slaves were primarily used in plantations, producing goods such as sugar, tobacco, and cotton, which were then exported to Europe. The trade became a central part of the colonial economy.
What events led to the independence of the United States from Britain?
-After a series of new taxes were imposed by Britain to help cover the costs of war, the 13 American colonies rebelled and declared independence. Supported by France, Spain, and the Netherlands, the colonies fought a war against Britain, eventually forcing the British to recognize their independence in 1783.
How did Spanish and Portuguese colonization efforts affect indigenous populations in South America?
-Spanish and Portuguese colonization led to the enslavement, displacement, and decimation of indigenous populations through violence, land seizure, and disease. In many cases, native societies were weakened or destroyed, and European settlers imposed their own systems of governance and religion on the region.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 European Exploration and the Quest for New Trade Routes

In the 15th century, Europe was primarily focused on trade with Asia, particularly for silk and spices. Venice and Genoa held monopolies over these lucrative trade routes, but the Iberian Peninsula's monarchies sought new pathways. Christopher Columbus, a navigator from Genoa, dreamed of discovering a direct route to Cathay (China) and Cipango (Japan). After being rejected by the Portuguese king, Columbus gained support from the Spanish monarchs. In 1492, Columbus set sail and landed in the Bahamas, mistakenly believing he had reached the East Indies. His voyages led to the establishment of Spanish colonies, beginning with Hispaniola, while the Treaty of Tordesillas divided new lands between Spain and Portugal. Columbus died without realizing he had discovered a new continent, which was later named America after Amerigo Vespucci. Explorers and conquistadors soon expanded Spanish control, particularly in the Americas, with figures like Hernán Cortés conquering the Aztec Empire.

05:01

🌱 Colonization, Conquests, and the Exploitation of the Americas

As Spanish colonies grew, they introduced new crops like maize, potatoes, and tobacco to Europe, along with vast amounts of gold and silver. Religious missions accompanied colonization, with Franciscans striving to convert native populations. The Spanish conquest expanded, with Hernán Cortés targeting the Mayan people and Francisco Pizarro focusing on the Inca Empire, weakened by disease and internal strife. Pizarro captured and executed the Inca emperor Atahualpa, despite receiving a massive ransom in gold. European powers like France, England, and the Netherlands also joined the colonial race, establishing their own settlements. The mid-17th century saw the rise of the transatlantic slave trade, with African slaves transported to American plantations, contributing to European wealth. By 1763, New France fell to British control, and tensions between Britain and its colonies led to the American Revolution. The newly formed United States expanded westward, while Spain's grip weakened, resulting in numerous colonies declaring independence. By the late 19th century, the entire continent of America had been colonized.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer from Genoa who sought to find a new maritime route to Asia by sailing west across the Atlantic Ocean. He is significant to the video's theme as his voyage in 1492 led to the European discovery of the American continents, even though he believed he had reached the East Indies. This misunderstanding laid the foundation for European colonization of the Americas, a central focus of the narrative.

💡Treaty of Tordesillas

The Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in 1494, was an agreement between Spain and Portugal to divide newly discovered lands outside Europe. It established a meridian line that allocated territories west of it to Spain and east to Portugal. This treaty, referenced in the video, was crucial for avoiding conflict between these two leading seafaring powers and shaped the colonial map of the Americas and beyond.

💡Conquistadors

Conquistadors were Spanish explorers and soldiers who played a significant role in the conquest of the Americas in the 16th century. Figures such as Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro are highlighted in the video for their roles in overthrowing powerful native empires like the Aztecs and Incas. Their brutal tactics led to vast territorial gains for Spain but also devastated indigenous populations through warfare, slavery, and the spread of diseases.

💡Aztec Empire

The Aztec Empire was a powerful indigenous civilization in central Mexico that ruled over surrounding territories. The video details how Hernán Cortés, seeking wealth and power, arrived in the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan and, with the help of local allies, laid siege to the city. The fall of the Aztec Empire marked a major milestone in Spanish colonization and dramatically shifted the balance of power in the region.

💡Smallpox

Smallpox was a deadly disease brought to the Americas by European explorers and colonists. The video describes how smallpox weakened both the Aztec and Inca Empires, leading to their rapid collapse under Spanish invasion. Its spread decimated native populations, altering the demographic landscape and making large-scale colonization and conquest easier for European powers.

💡Atlantic Slave Trade

The Atlantic Slave Trade refers to the transatlantic trading system where African slaves were transported to the Americas in exchange for European goods. The video describes how the demand for labor on plantations, particularly for crops like tobacco and sugar, drove the growth of this brutal system. Slaves were subjected to inhumane conditions, and their forced labor significantly contributed to the economic growth of European colonies.

💡New France

New France was a French colony established in North America, primarily focused on fur trading and fishing. The video references how French settlers, in contrast to other European powers, formed alliances with local tribes and integrated more peacefully into the native trading networks. The establishment of New France, however, eventually led to conflicts with English settlers, as both nations sought to expand their colonial territories.

💡Independence of the United States

The Independence of the United States marks the successful rebellion of 13 British colonies against British rule, culminating in 1783. The video explains that the colonies revolted due to economic burdens imposed by Britain, such as taxes after the costly wars with France. This event is pivotal as it not only led to the formation of a new nation but also weakened British and Spanish control in the region, setting a precedent for future independence movements.

💡Amerigo Vespucci

Amerigo Vespucci was an Italian explorer who realized that the land discovered by Columbus was part of a 'New World' and not Asia. The continent of America is named after him. The video highlights Vespucci’s role in correcting the geographic misconceptions of the time, which redefined the world's understanding of the newly discovered continents.

💡Hispaniola

Hispaniola is an island in the Caribbean that became the site of one of the first permanent European settlements in the New World. Columbus established the settlement of La Isabela here during his second voyage. The video portrays Hispaniola as a launching point for further Spanish exploration and conquest in the Americas, symbolizing the beginning of large-scale colonization efforts.

Highlights

In the middle of the 15th century, European powers were unaware of the tens of millions of people living in the Americas despite the Vikings' earlier discovery.

European trade was mainly focused on Asia, with Venice and Genoa dominating Mediterranean trade routes, which spurred Iberian monarchies to seek new routes.

Christopher Columbus, a native of Genoa, attempted to find a new route to Asia but instead landed on islands in the Bahamian archipelago in 1492.

Columbus mistook the islands for the East Indies, naming the inhabitants 'Indians' and spent months exploring other islands in search of Cipango (Japan).

Columbus established the first permanent settlement, La Isabela, in Hispaniola, and became the governor of this new colony.

The Treaty of Tordesillas divided newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal, with Spain controlling the west and Portugal the east.

Vasco da Gama’s exploration opened up a new sea route to India, significantly boosting Portuguese trade and colonial power.

Amerigo Vespucci proposed that the land Columbus discovered was a 'New World,' leading to the naming of the Americas after him.

Spanish conquistadors, such as Hernán Cortés, exploited local conflicts and diseases to conquer large empires like the Aztecs and Incas.

Diseases brought by Europeans devastated native populations, including the Aztec Empire, which fell due to smallpox and a 75-day siege.

The Spanish exploited local resources, sending new products like maize, potato, and tobacco, as well as gold and silver, back to Europe.

Francisco Pizarro captured and executed the Incan Emperor Atahualpa after receiving large sums of gold in ransom, furthering Spain’s control in South America.

The slave trade surged in the mid-17th century, with European ships exchanging goods for slaves in Africa, and then selling American products at high prices in Europe.

In 1783, Britain was forced to recognize the independence of the United States following a war involving France, Spain, and the Netherlands.

By the late 19th century, nearly the entire continent of the Americas had been colonized, with the defeat of the Mapuche in Argentina and Chile marking the end of indigenous resistance.