Spanish Colonization Goals
What were the three primary goals of Spanish colonization in the Americas?
God (spread Catholicism), Gold (acquire wealth), and Glory (expand Spanish power)
In what year did Columbus first arrive in the Americas?
1492
What was the Catholic Church’s primary mission in the Spanish colonies?
To convert the indigenous population to Christianity
Which Caribbean island became the first major Spanish colony?
Hispaniola
What did Columbus criticize about early settlers on Hispaniola?
Their lack of discipline and morality
What natural resources did Columbus aim to exploit on Hispaniola?
Gold and cash crops like tobacco and sugar
What was the main purpose of Columbus’s second voyage in 1493?
To establish permanent Spanish settlements and begin colonization efforts
What sacrament was critical to the Church’s mission in the Americas?
Baptism
What was Spain’s strategy for gaining supremacy in the Americas?
Establishing settlements, converting natives, and exploiting natural resources
How did the Catholic Church help resolve conflicts in colonial settlements?
By mediating disputes and enforcing moral standards.
Why did Columbus propose sending 2,000 settlers to Hispaniola in 1493?
To establish permanent Spanish control, ensure economic profitability, and protect against uprisings or rival European powers.
What was Columbus’s primary concern for Hispaniola’s safety?
Protecting it from native uprisings and rival European interference.
What social function did the clergy serve in early Spanish settlements?
They helped maintain moral standards and resolve conflicts among settlers
What was Columbus’s long-term goal for Spanish colonies in the Americas?
To create economically profitable colonies that served as trading and administrative centers.
Why was maintaining social order important for Spain’s colonial goals?
It ensured stability, productivity, and allegiance to the Spanish crown.
What did Columbus hope Hispaniola would become in terms of trade?
A central hub for trading with neighboring islands and regions.
Which Spanish monarchs sponsored Columbus’s expeditions?
Ferdinand and Isabella.
Who instructed Columbus to dispatch religious men to the colonies?
Ferdinand and Isabella
What role did Spanish naval advancements play in colonization?
They provided protection for settlers and secured Spanish claims
What were some of the social challenges faced by early Spanish settlements?
Lawlessness, lack of cohesion among settlers, and conflicts with indigenous populations.
What major challenge limited the success of early Spanish settlements by 1500?
Disorder among settlers, including lack of discipline and morality.
Why did Columbus stress the importance of gold mining on Hispaniola?
To increase Spain’s wealth and make the colony economically significant.
How did the Catholic Church contribute to the stability of Spanish colonies?
By performing sacraments, controlling settlers’ behavior, and promoting social order
By 1500, to what extent were Spain’s colonial objectives achieved?
Partially; colonies were established, but social, economic, and religious goals were incomplete.
How did early Spanish colonial society reflect Spain’s imperial ambitions?
It sought to combine religious conversion, economic exploitation, and political dominance.