Impacts of the Spanish Conquest

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Bibliography: Source 1: Green, J, 2012, 'The Columbian Exchange: Crash Course World History #23', https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQPA5oNpfM4, 23 Sep 2017 Source 2: Green, J, 2012, ,'The Spanish Empire, Silver, & Runaway Inflation: Crash Course World History #25', https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjhIzemLdos, 23 Sep 2017 Source 3: Cleary & Pinkerton, V & S, Unknown time, 'The Turning Point: European Conquests of the Americas (1492-1800)', http://webs.bcp.org/sites/vcleary/modernworldhistorytextbook/imperialism/section_3/turningpoint1.html, 24 Sep 2017 I also used Obook's 'Spanish conquest' chapter for some information but it lacks basic details worthy for the bibliography.

4 Impacts of the Spanish Conquest

Smallpox

Overview: When the Spaniards landed in the Americas in 1519, They brought with them a biological weapon that is so powerful that it nearly wiped out all of the ancient civilizations in the Americas. A weapon the Spanish did not know they were using. Smallpox. Smallpox has been present in Europe for centuries so the Spanish have developed a slight resistance to it. The Aztecs and Incas however, had been isolated from devastating diseases like smallpox for centuries. Their bodies could not handle the disease; there was no chance of survival for these Ancient civilizations. By the time the Spanish had captured Tenochtitlan, smallpox (and other minor diseases) killed 90% of the native Aztecs.

Smallpox effecting the Aztec population.

Smallpox cells.

Long Term impacts: Smallpox removed a large percentage of the Aztec population, as well as destroying their knowledge, languages and culture. The Spanish also introduced immigrants from Europe and Asia due to Europe’s excessive population. These immigrants make up the diverse population that currently makes up the Americas.

Short term impacts: Millions of Native Aztecs had a painful death from smallpox. Since Smallpox killed many Aztecs and most of the survivors were scared and/or blind. This allowed the Spanish to easily take control of Tenochtitlan. Smallpox killed many leaders and their families also, it lead to a civil war and chaos for the throne. Eventually when the Spanish took control of Tenochtitlan, Many Aztecs abandoned their Gods and turn to God (our God) that the Spanish introduced so they would not suffer anymore. Smallpox killed many farmers so the survivors after the siege were severely malnourished. Many people died of Smallpox (and other diseases) after the siege because their immune systems venerable from the malnourishment.

Siege of Tenochtitlan

Overview: After the Aztecs drove the Spaniards out of Tenochtitlan, the Aztecs suffered heavy losses from both war related injuries and smallpox. Meanwhile, Cortes made several alliances with nearby tribes so they could help fight the Aztecs. The tribes either joined the Spanish because they were common enemies of the Aztecs or were intimidated to join the Spanish. A good example is the Tlaxcalans who hated the Aztecs (and Tenochtitlan) because they were forced to pay humiliating tributes to their superiors. The tribes (including Tlaxcalans) cut off their tributes (which consisted of supplies, food and people to sacrifice) to Tenochtitlan. The Spanish then executed their plan and laid siege on Tenochtitlan. Smallpox killed most of the Aztecs during the siege, but malnourishment also killed many Aztecs After holding Tenochtitlan under siege for 4 months, the Spanish stormed into Tenochtitlan and took control of the city.

Long term impacts: The Spanish altered (destroyed) many aspects of Aztec culture that is still embedded in Mexican culture today. Mexicans are now known to speak Spanish and have a strong Christian faith because it was introduced (forced) into their culture when the Spanish took control. The Spanish demolished temples, shrines and sacred images/ statues rubble to build new churches and cathedrals. Some remains still lay in some parts of Mexico city today. They are treated as landmarks reminding Mexicans about their barbaric past.

Short term impacts: Thousands of Aztecs and Spaniards were killed in the Siege of Tenochtitlan. Even though victory was clear for the Spanish the Aztec warriors continued to fight until they were dead. Many Aztec warriors also died from smallpox (more details in the smallpox impacts) and starvation. Many settlers and farmers died during the siege from diseases so the remaining farmers couldn’t produce enough food and to sustain the survivors.

Link: The Spanish only defeated the Aztecs and the Incas because smallpox killed most of the warriors.

New goods and foods for European cultures

Link: When the siege ended the Spanish plundered and imported new world goods into Europe.

Link: When new foods were introduced to Europe, populations swelled and so people who could not find a home in crowded cities migrated to the Americas.

Overview: When the Spaniards successfully took control of the Americas, they plundered the Native’s goods and food to import into Europe. The new and exotic supplies that were introduced revolutionized Europe significantly. It made some countries increase in numbers while some were inspired to make new national dishes/ staples (e.g. pizza in Italy, potatoes in Ireland and spice curries in India). The Spanish also introduced a large amount of goods. Some key resources were turkeys, rubber and tobacco (smoking). One of the most precious (and largest) imports was the silver obtained from the ‘mountain made of silver’ within the Aztec empire. The large silver imports made up 70% of the worlds supply at that time. All of the imports, especially the silver made the Spanish very rich.

Potatoes a common Irish staple after the Spanish Conquest of the Americas.

Modern day pizza; Which was invented from ingredients plundered during the Spanish Conquest of the Americas

Long term impacts: The new world crops and supplies that were introduced also affected Europe for centuries. Some crops became important staples to some countries. For instance during that time, the average Irish worker ate 10 pounds of potatoes per day. The silver that was imported from the Americas made the Spanish rich in the short term, but when inflation kicked in it hurt the government for centuries. Silver lost its value significantly and it weakened the Spanish Government’s money funds. The Spanish Government eventually had to borrow money from other countries, which they could not pay back so they were left with a massive debt for decades.

Short term impacts: When the Spaniards sourced and imported new world crops and supplies to Europe, some countries advanced agriculturally. The Europeans were able to eat foods that are more nutritious for their bodies. The quality and quantity of foods increased, which led to a large population increases.

Increased exploration and migration

Link: When many Aztecs and Incas were killed from smallpox this opened opportunities for people to migrate to the Americas.

Overview: Since of Spain’s success in the Americas, many other European countries were encouraged to follow. They saw it as an open window opportunity to discover and colonize new lands. When European populations swelled from the introduction of new world crops, it placed overwhelming amounts of population pressure on Europe. This lead too many people migrating to the Americas to settle and dwell. The migration made the population of the Americas more diverse than just the Natives and the Spanish.

An artists impression of a Spanish galleon.

Francisco Pizarro was a Spanish explorer during the time of the Spanish conquest. Francisco and his men conquered the Incas in 1533.

Short term impacts: The Spanish conquest of the Americas immediately inspired a time of exploration and increased migration. It made other countries to spend more money on their navy and exploration so they can discover countries to seize for themselves. This lead to the expansion of maps and an increased knowledge about the world. The increased knowledge of the world allowed people to migrate from crowded areas like Europe, China and Asia to the less crowded Americas and colonised islands.