SOCIAL
CLASSES OF NEW SPAIN
CLASSES OF NEW SPAIN
Penisulare
Spanish colonists who were born in Spain. They were sent to rule the colonies. They had the highest jobs in gov't and the Catholic church. They owned rich gold and silver mines
Pizarro
Sailed along the Pacific Coast of Chile. Invaded the Incan Empire. He killed their ruler and took control of most of the Incan Empire.
Cortes
He and his men marched into the Aztec capital and took their ruler hostage and claimed all of Mexico for Spain. The Aztecs were able to kick them out. However, he returned a year later with a larger force, recaptured the capital and destroyed it. In its place he built Mexico City, the capital of the Spanish colony of New Spain.
Mission
Religious settlement run by Catholic priests and friars; settlment that aims to spread a religion in a new area.
What are the three "G's" that motivated the Spanish conquistadors?
Gold glory god
Mulattos
People of African and Spanish heritage. They struggled to achieve economic success, but had more rights than Africans or Native Americans.
De Soto
He reached the Mississippi River in 1541 during his search for gold and treasure in Florida.
Alpuhtua
Incan ruler taken prisoner by a Spaniard. Although the Incan people paid a huge ransom for him, he was executed by the Spanish anyway.
Conquisadior
Spanish soldier/adventurer
Identify six reasons the Spanish were able to conquer the Aztecs and Incas.
1. Better Weapons-The Spanish had superior weapons 2. Disease-Native Americans were dying from the diseases the Spanish brought over 3. The Native Americans were afraid of the horses the Spanish brought over 4. The Native Americans thought they were Gods 5. The Spanish killed their rulers 6. The Native Americans were divided among themselves
Mestizo
People of Spanish and Indian blood. They could achieve economic success as ranchers, farmers and merchants. They worked on farms. They could be carpenters, shoemakers, bakers or tailors. However, they could never reach the upper levels of society.
Las Casas
A Spanish priest who protested the way Native Americans were being treated. Due to his efforts the government of New Spain ordered the reform of the encomienda system.
Ponce de leon
In 1513 he became the first Spaniard to set foot in what in now the United States when he sailed to Florida.
encomienda
Land granted to Spanish settlers that included the right to demand labor or taxes from Native Americans.
Identify two reasons Magellan's voyage was important
It was another all-water route to Asia It showed the true size of the world
Creoles
Colonists born in the Americas to two Spanish parents. They held important jobs. They were wealthy and well educated. They were merchants, owned farms, taught at universities and practiced laws.
Balboa
In 1513 he became the first European to reach the Pacific Ocean. He claimed it for Spain.
Magellan
Although he was killed in the Philippines in 1522, his crew sailed all the way around the earth, finding Spain's all water route to Asia.
Plantation
Large farm worked by laborers who live on the property
Native Americans and African Americans
They were at the bottom of society. They were treated as conquered people. Under this rigid social class system they were kept in poverty for many years.
(Two groups)
Montezuma
Aztec emperor who was taken hostage by the Spanish. Although he was able to kick the Spanish out the first time, eventually the Spanish came back and recaptured the capital and destroyed it.
Conorado
Although he never found the golden city he was looking for, he explored much of what is now New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and Kansas.