Spanish Colonies in

the Americas

What does this image

suggest about how

the Spanish

used Native

Americans in the

1500s?

Develop an aim for

today’s lesson

based on this

picture.

Aim

How did economic development affect change in the Spanish New World?

PQ1

Who ruled in the Spanish colonies?

Does this picture accurately describe who was in charge in the Spanish colonies? Does anything need to be added?

PQ2

What is the encomienda economic system of the Spanish colonies?

List four characteristics of the encomienda system.

Encomienda System Spain controlled the colonies’

economic activity Colonists could only export to

Spain Colonists could only buy

Spanish manufactured goods

Sugar was introduced into the West Indies and quickly became profitable Cane was refined into sugar,

molasses, and rum Sugar cane had to be grown on

large plantations Financing the number of

workers to farm the sugar cane was very problematic

Encomienda System Spanish monarchs granted

encomiendas to conquistadors The right to demand labor

or tribute from Native Americans

Conquistadors used this system to force Native Americans to work in brutal conditions Disease, starvation, and

cruel treatment caused catastrophic declines in the Native American population

PQ3

Who replaced declining Native American populations in the Spanish new world?

Bartolome de las Casas

Bartolome de las Casas

Bartolome de las Casas (Spanish Catholic Priest) Condemned the encomienda system Convinced the Spain to forbid Native American

enslavement Native Americans became PEONS, workers

forced to a landlord to pay off a debt

Las Casas advocated for bringing Africans to the new world to replace Native American workers Demand for sugar products required workers

Exit Card

How did economic development affect change in the Spanish New World?