During the time period from 1450 to 1800, two powerful empires were in the process of being built. These two empires were the Ottoman Empire and the Spanish Empire. During the building process of their empires, the Ottoman and the Spanish both developed many similarities in their political, social, and economic affairs. A similarity between these empires was that they both had some type of slave system. Even though they did have some things in common there were also many differences that were between these empires.…
a. France and England came seeking fur, fish, trade routes in the early seventeenth century…
A. The rise of imperialism by Portugal was due to the pursuit of exploration and trade. Imperialism is the acquisition of territory by either political or military force, while colonialism is sending citizens to inhabit and populate a new territory. Portugal landed in Brazil on April 23, 1500 and began setting up trading stations called “feitorias”.(Skidmore, 1999) Portugal did not have the population to colonize the new land and these stations were minimally staffed but secured by military means. The Portuguese used “bandeirantes” or armed groups to explore the land capturing Indians for labor and to look for precious metals. The religious order of Portuguese Jesuits was an aggressive mission…
Mathew Restall’s Seven Myths of the Spanish Conquest is a well-written book that serves an important purpose. That purpose being: the debunking of generally accepted falsehoods about the Spanish Conquest beginning in the 15th century. Restall’s book is separated into seven chapters that specifically address general myths most historians and students perceive as basic --- universal truths. Restall uses the term “myth” to describe the inaccurate/fictitious depiction of history “commonly taken to be true, partially or absolutely.” These “myths” are the progenitors of unintentionally self-centered perceptions of events historically recorded in subjectivity. The Self-absorption, relating to the…
The downfall of the armada began before the ships even set sailed and concluded when Over half the crew had been wrecked. The Reason for the Armadas failure is because of Poor Planning in Spain prior to the Spanish Armada setting sail, Medina Sidonia poorly leading his troops, and the changing weather and strong navy force from the british. Chances of the Spanish winning could have increased immensely if only they had been smarter with their planning and not so one track minded with taking down the English and turning them into catholics.…
Many people might say “First is the worst second is the best etc…” in the case of Queens of England this is definitely true. Elizabeth is the second Queen of England and was a much more king Queen than Mary Tudor or better know as Bloody Mary. Elizabeth’s life was outlined by many crowning accomplishments, the most famous of these would be the Spanish Armada attack on England!…
The central foundation of economic activity in Colonial Latin America was Indian labor. Wars, disease and the acquisition of status led to the mixing of races. After the civil war in Mexico the ratio of men to women was greater which led to race mixing. The Mestizos were a mixture of Spanish (Spain) and Indians. Local families/Spanish seeking to ascend the socioeconomic ladder would often inter-marry to be a part of the elite status. As the Spaniards and Europeans arrived in the New World they also created a race of people called peninsulares (those that recently arrived from Spain) and Creoles (European descent but born in New World). There was some intermingling of the…
Some of the conquests of the Spanish on the Native Indians were brutal. While most conquistadors and Spanish people treated the Indians badly, one names Las Casas did not. He defended them. Why My Congressman/Congresswoman Matters to Me.…
Mainly society was divided into different classes such as: clergy, aristocrats, peasants, and slaves. The society in the conquered colonies was divided similarly to the European society. The social stratification still apparent today in Latin America. Like during the colonialism period, the positions in society still somewhat existent. Also, an impact that colonialism brought to Latin America was the introduction of racism especially because the establishment of the idea that white race equals power. As the article “Latin America as a White Settler Society” explores “The racist outlook of these Euro-centric elites in Latin America led to the downgrading and non-recognition of the Black population, and, in many countries, to the physical extermination of the indigenous peoples”(Grott,…
The Wars of Independence for Latin America happened coincidently in a domino effect; one country after the other gained its independence with the exception of Cuba and Brazil between 1809-1822. The war itself had been fought unitedly by criollos, mestizos, blacks, and indigenous who came together following the nativist liberal ideals of liberty, equality, and America for Americans. Charles Chasteen views the winning of the wars of independence as a sense of belonging and shared purpose between the different racial groups (p.91). But as the aftermath foretold, the political independence of the America’s was simply that, a political detachment from Spain that meant that the social class structure would remain the same throughout. As a result, the criollos had become the only beneficiaries of the war and autonomy of Latin America. Criollos were now the new ruling elite, holding political office positions as well as the majority of the land and wealth. Winning political independence from Spain did not result in a social revolution that would change the caste system. Indigenous and black slaves did not receive their freedom nor did they beneficiate from the war; most of them were still subjugated and repressed by the white elite ruling class. Mr. Seagel then discussed…
Divided into 6 chapters, this non-fiction book focus on the principal differences between America and Spain: not only geographically talking (with a pretty practical Spanish map added before the preface), but also politically, economically, culturally, historically and socially. Always hidden behind a comparison between Spain and America, it explains both sides in detail, giving real and invented examples of what to do or what to avoid during any kind of interaction, and how can foreigners fully adapt to our society while showing how Spain has evolved in every way at the same…
The top of Spain’s social pyramid is occupied by the royal family, followed by the titled nobility and aristocratic families. But in today’s modern and…
Between the 14th century and the 16th century, Portugal expanded their land and power. John I was the Portuguese monarch from 1385-1433, he spearheaded the first colonization and exploration in Portugal. Henry the Navigator lived from 1394-1460, although he never took the throne, he funded many explorations and supported adventurers. At this time, England just ended The Hundred Years’ War with France. Portugal was relatively small compared to their neighboring state, Spain. To avoid any conflict with the Ottoman-Turks and Spain, Portugal began exploring and colonizing small islands along the coast of Africa and Portugal. Due to trade, alliances, and colonization Portugal was able accumulate more wealth and land for the Portuguese monarchs.…
Spain (Listeni/ˈspeɪn/; Spanish: España [esˈpaɲa] ( listen)), officially the Kingdom of Spain (Spanish: Reino de España),[c][7] is a sovereign state and a member state of the European Union. It is located on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe. Its mainland is bordered to the south and east by the Mediterranean Sea except for a small land boundary with Gibraltar; to the north and north east by France, Andorra, and the Bay of Biscay; and to the west and northwest by Portugal and the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of three countries (Morocco, France) to have both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines. Spain's 1,214 km (754 mi) border with Portugal is the longest uninterrupted border within the European Union.…
Spanish colonial motives were not, however, strictly commercial. The Spanish at first viewed the Philippines as a stepping-stone to the riches of the East Indies (Spice Islands), but, even after the Portuguese and Dutch had foreclosed that possibility, the Spanish still maintained their presence in the archipelago.…