THE SPANISH

HERNÁN CORTÉS

• Goal was to conquer Mexico
• Started with expedition for gold
• In 1519, led 450 men into Aztec capital
• Seized emperor
• Put Tenochtitlan under siege

SPANISH POLITICS

• Cortés and Pizarro used encomienda system
• Allocated land and labor rights to troops
• Spanish monarchy expanded its control over the empire

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

• Spanish and Portuguese were the main languages
• Indigenous culture continued
• Urban centers developed

BRAZIL

• Portuguese and Brazil empires depended on sugar
• Spanish conquistadors sought out laborers for crops
• Nobles established plantations
• Caused Africans to become most of population

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

• French and English colonies did not find dense societies
• Most spoke sioux or other languages
• Europeans took over indigenous farmland
• Caused starvation and rebellion

TREATY OF TORDESILLAS

• Signed in 1494 by Spain and Portugal
• Divided world into imaginary line
• Spain could claim the west
• Portugal could claim anything to the east