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Spain reaches the Americas, c1490 to 1512
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In 1492 Columbus, sponsored by Spain, crossed the Atlantic. Within twenty years Spain had settlements in the Caribbean, with terrible effects on the people already living there.
Spain and Columbus
In 1492 Ferdinand and Isabella captured Granada, completing the Reconquista. Spain had a strong crusading spirit and wanted to spread Christianity and gain wealth.
Christopher Columbus, from Genoa, wanted to reach Asia by sailing west. After other rejections, Queen Isabella agreed to sponsor him.
He sailed in August 1492 with three ships, the Santa Maria, Pinta and Nina, and reached the Caribbean on 12 October 1492. The crew had feared running out of supplies.
Christopher Columbus, from Genoa, wanted to reach Asia by sailing west. After other rejections, Queen Isabella agreed to sponsor him.
He sailed in August 1492 with three ships, the Santa Maria, Pinta and Nina, and reached the Caribbean on 12 October 1492. The crew had feared running out of supplies.
First contacts
Columbus explored islands including Cuba and Hispaniola. The Santa Maria was wrecked, and he left men at a fort called La Navidad. On his return in 1493 it had been destroyed.
He met the Taino people, whom he described as peaceful, and the Caribs, who resisted. He looked for gold.
Portugal also wanted new lands, so in 1494 the Treaty of Tordesillas divided newly found lands between Spain and Portugal.
He met the Taino people, whom he described as peaceful, and the Caribs, who resisted. He looked for gold.
Portugal also wanted new lands, so in 1494 the Treaty of Tordesillas divided newly found lands between Spain and Portugal.
Spanish settlement
Columbus made further voyages and was made governor, but ruled badly and was sent back to Spain under arrest in 1500.
Santo Domingo on Hispaniola was founded in 1496 and became the centre of Spanish rule.
The Taino were forced to work for settlers, and their numbers collapsed because of overwork, violence and European diseases such as smallpox. Spain developed policies of forced labour and slavery, alongside missionary work to convert people to Christianity.
Santo Domingo on Hispaniola was founded in 1496 and became the centre of Spanish rule.
The Taino were forced to work for settlers, and their numbers collapsed because of overwork, violence and European diseases such as smallpox. Spain developed policies of forced labour and slavery, alongside missionary work to convert people to Christianity.
Explain one consequence of the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494).
- It divided newly found lands between Spain and Portugal.
- This let Spain claim most of the Americas without fighting Portugal.
- It also meant other countries were left out, which later caused rivalry.
Answer: Spain and Portugal divided the new lands, avoiding war between them.
Reconquista complete 1492. Isabella sponsored Columbus; first voyage August to October 1492. La Navidad; Taino and Caribs. Tordesillas 1494. Santo Domingo 1496. Forced labour, disease and missionaries.
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