Colonial Rule (1500-1810)Mrs. Monugian

Mexican-American LiteratureFremont High School

Spain ruled Latin America for three centuries, 1500 to 1800.

The Causes What was the main purpose of Spanish colonies

in the New World?Imperialism.That is, the colonies were supposed to provide raw materials to Spain and to purchase Spanish goods.

From 1500 on, Europeans conquered countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

They turned them into colonies and controlled their economies.

What is Imperialism? A powerful country takes control of a weaker

nation. The primary motive is economic - they wanted to

make a profit. A colony existed for the sole benefit of the

Mother Country.

What was the primary goal of Imperialism? not political control not cultural domination not racial superiority not missionary work These were goals of Imperialism, but not the

PRIMARY goal. That honor goes to:economic exploitation

So, does Imperialism benefit the colonies? No, it harms them. As a result of imperialism, they have:

no self-governmentdistortion of the cultureno human rightsno industrialization

The Europeans did build roads, bridges and railroads in their colonies. But only to obtain raw materials.

The Results What were the results of European imperialism?

Economics = Underdevelopment During the colonial period, Spain stunted the economic development

of Latin America.Colonies were encouraged to produce raw materials and cash crops.Colonies were discouraged from building modern factories.

What vision did Spain have for Latin America?farming and miningno factories, no industrialization

During the colonial period, the labor system was the encomienda system.

It provided a steady labor supply (of Amerindians) for the mines and plantations.

Politics = Political control by wealthy landowners In a farming and mining country, land is everything. Under the Spanish, land was distributed unequally:

all the land to a small elite.no land to the majority.

The landless had zero economic and political power. Power was concentrated in a small group of

landowners. They controlled both the politics and the economy.

Military… played a major role in politics When a tiny minority rules over an overwhelming

majority, two things happen:the majority is always discontent, ready to revolt.the minority desperately needs the army.

The army kept a lid on society. The general and the captain become

exceedingly powerful.

Religion: The Catholic Church was very powerful Three hundred years of Spanish rule (1500-1800)

guaranteed that the elite would dominate everything in Latin America - from the politics and economy to religion and social life.

Spain, the most Catholic country of Europe, made sure Latin America was very Catholic as well.

At one and the same time, the churchsupported the Spanish regime and its economic exploitation - the encomienda system.expressed concern over the mistreatment of Native Americans.

Social structure – A rigid class system In every Latin American country, the society was

a pyramid:The tiny land owning eliteA small (almost invisible) middle classThe giant landless!