Spain’s New World Empire

I. Introduction: Iberian Peninsula as Frontier

A. Cultural and Religious Frontier

B. Links between Church and State

C. Plantations and Slaves

II. Phase One: the Caribbean (1492-1519)

A. Beginning on Hispaniola

B. Recreating Spain’s Social Structure

III. Phase Two: the Mainland

A. Aztecs and Mexico (1520s)

B. Incas and Peru (1530s)

C. Limits to Land Expansion

IV. End of the Age of the Conquests

A. Protests of the Church

B. Character of the Conquistadors

C. Reasons for Spanish Success

V. Solidifying the Social Structure (1570-1700)

VI. New Spain’s Silver

VII. Conclusion: Following the Silver

Key terms

Granada

Hispaniola

encomiendas

Bartolome de Las Casas

Hernan Cortes

Tenochtitlan

Francisco Pizarro

Cuzco

smallpox, influenza, measles

Potosi and Zacatecas

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