The colonies of Spain until the nineteenth century occupied a significant part of the land. The Spanish Empire was one of the most powerful feudal powers of the past. Active colonization and geographical discoveries significantly influenced the development of human history. The conquest has affected the cultural, linguistic and religious development of many peoples.
Prerequisites for colonization
Until the fourteenth century, Spain fought for its independence. Moors and Saracens constantly arrived on their lands from the south and east. Long centuries of struggle eventually ended with the final expulsion of the Arabs from the continent. But after the victory, many problems immediately opened up. Waging wars for several centuries, Spain created several orders of chivalry, and there were many more soldiers than in any country in Europe. The rulers of the Habsburg dynasty understood that sooner or later this would lead to social revolt. The greatest danger, in their opinion, was the landless younger sons of knights -hidalgo.
First, in order to direct their thirst for a better life in the right direction of the government, a crusade to the East begins. However, the Saracens put up fierce resistance, which forces the crusaders to retreat. The Spanish colonies in Africa were small and brought little to no profit. At this time, various goods from India were in high demand.
In the view of Europeans, this continent was not only in the east, but also in the south. Therefore, in order to find the shortest path to it, expeditions were regularly equipped.
Geographic discoveries
The first colonies of Spain appeared after Christopher Columbus discovered the New World - America. At the end of the summer of 1492, three ships sailed under Spanish flags. They were equipped from the treasury of several European countries. In mid-autumn of that year, Columbus landed in the Bahamas. Four months later, the island of Haiti was discovered. In search of gold, the Spaniards sometimes went ashore and moved deep into the jungle. On their way, they met the resistance of local tribes. However, their level of civilization lagged behind that of Europe by several centuries. Therefore, the conquistadors, dressed in steel armor, had no difficulty in conquering the natives.
Eight years later, another expedition set sail, already consisting of a 1,500-strong crew with provisions. They explored a significant part of the coast of South America. New islands have been discovered. After that, an agreement was concluded between Portugal and Spain, according to which the new lands were equallydivided between these two empires.
South America
Initially, the Spaniards began to explore the west coast of America. This is the territory of modern Brazil, Chile, Peru and other countries. Spanish orders were established in the new lands. Administrations settled in large settlements. Then the armed groups went to conquer new lands.
Then settlers arrived from Europe. The local population, in particular Bolivia, was taxed.
Most of all Spaniards were interested in goods for export. These are gold, silver and various spices. If it was not always possible to get to gold, then the conquistadors found silver in abundance. Loaded ships arrived at the ports every month. A huge amount of imports led eventually to the decline of the entire empire. Inflation began, which led to poverty. The latter spawned several rebellions.
North America
The colonial countries of Spain had some sovereignty. They obeyed Valladolid on federal rights. Spanish culture and language developed on the occupied lands. In the colony of Rio de la Plata, local Indians caused problems. They hid in the jungle and occasionally raided.
Therefore, the government of the viceroy alty had to hire soldiers from neighboring colonies to fight the partisans, who, in addition, also organized looting and pogroms.
For four decades, the Spanish colonists managed to open more than twenty colonies in the New World. Soover time they united into large viceroy alties. To the north was the largest colony, New Spain, discovered by Hernan Cortes, a legendary figure often associated with the mythical city of Eldorado.
Before the active intervention of Great Britain, the conquistadors created Spanish colonies along the entire coast of South and North America. List of modern countries that used to be Spanish colonies:
- Mexico.
- Cuba.
- Honduras.
- Ecuador.
- Peru.
- Chile.
- Colombia.
- Bolivia.
- Guatemala.
- Nicaragua.
- Part of Brazil, Argentina and USA.
Administrative unit
Countries-former colonies of Spain on this territory are the USA (southern states) and Mexico. Unlike the colonies on the southern mainland, here the conquistadors met a more advanced civilization. Once upon a time, the Aztecs and Mayans lived on these lands. They left behind a huge architectural legacy. Expeditionary detachments of Cortes met a very organized resistance to colonization. In response, the Spaniards acted extremely cruelly towards the indigenous population. As a result, its numbers were rapidly declining.
After the creation of New Spain, the conquistadors moved west and founded Louisiana, East and West Florida. Some of these lands were under the control of the metropolis until the nineteenth century. But as a result of the war with the United States of America, they lost everything. Mexico had won its freedom years earlier.
Orders on the employedterritories
Power in the colonies was concentrated in the hands of the Viceroy. He, in turn, was personally subordinate to the Spanish monarch. The viceroy alty was divided into several regions (if it was big enough). Each region had its own administration and church diocese.
Therefore, many former colonies of Spain still profess Catholicism. Another branch of government was the military. Most often, the backbone of the garrison was made up of mercenary knights, who after some time returned to Europe.
Only people from the mother country could hold high positions in the vice-kingdoms. These were hereditary nobles and rich knights. The descendants of the Spaniards, born in America, according to the law, owned the same rights as the representatives of the mother country. However, in practice, they were often harassed, and they could not take any high position.
Relations with the local population
The local population consisted of representatives of various Indian tribes. Initially, they were often subjected to murder and robbery. However, later the colonial administrations decided to change their attitude towards the natives. Instead of robberies, it was decided to exploit the Indian population.
Formally, they were not slaves. However, they were subjected to some oppression and were heavily taxed. And if they did not pay them, they became debtors to the Crown, which was not much different from slavery.
The colonies of Spain adopted the culture of the mother country. At the same time, acute conflict isdid not cause. The local population very willingly adopted the traditions of Europeans. In a fairly short period, the natives learned the language. Assimilation was also aided by the arrival of lone hidalgo knights. They settled in the viceroy alties and married Indian women. What are the colonies of Spain, best seen in the example of Louisiana.
After all, feudal relations between the local population and the administration have developed in this viceroy alty for several decades.
Loss of colonies
The crisis in Europe reached its peak by the eighteenth century. Spain went to war with France. Inflation and civil strife led to the decline of the empire. The colonies took advantage of this and began to wage wars of liberation. Moreover, in some cases, the driving force was not the local population, but the descendants of former colonists, many of whom assimilated. Many historians question whether Spain was a colony of its viceroy alties. That is a hostage of profits from distant lands. More likely. And soon she tried to maintain influence in American lands at any cost. Indeed, after their rejection, Spain itself almost collapsed.
