HIST1055 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Lope De Aguirre, World Politics
Document Summary
Political conflicts among native americans contributed to the conquistadors" successes, but the spanish empire had political problems of its own. First contact was between french trappers/fishermen and native peoples. St. lawrence was the center of their new world. Politics followed along with religious peoples (jesuits) Dumps convicts on shores, takes hostages, trades spices/goods. Was looking to set up private trading posts basically. When he runs into financial trouble his colonists begin to revolt. Spain did this frequently to its entrepreneurs and explorers. Because it is so far away spain worries about giving new lords, etc. too much power. Begin with trade but then turn to labor exploitation of natives to get gold and goods. Disease brought over and made worse by forced labor/resettlement kills majority of native populations fairly quickly. More expansion + need for more people = slaves from africa start to be brought in. Huge ag land expansion (sugarcane, etc. ) (mining)
