Spanish Empire Research Paper

The Spanish empire had many goals to accomplish; dreams of successfully expanding their rule to the Americas, converting the people to the Christian Catholic religion, and finding riches to increase their wealth. Slavery was the cornerstone of the development of the Spanish empire. Being indigenous to the area, the slaves had lots of information on how to survive in this part of the primitive world. The acquisition of slaves bettered the Spanish empire, by means of expansion and religious gains. Agricultural knowledge and laborious servitude from the slaves influenced the European discovery of the New World, playing a crucial role in the Spanish empires growth and economic success. As discussed in lecture, slavery is what fueled the discovery of the New World. The Spanish conquest was largely due to the rumors of fertile lands, superior freedom, and an abundance of riches. Hernan Cortes is set on conquering the Aztecs, in order to fulfill his need of replacement slaves. The Spanish need slaves to work their cattle ranches, sugar plantations, and gold mines. Spain conquered the Aztecs because of the high advantages Cortes had. Cortes had native allies, superior weaponry, urbanization, and the detrimental effect of …show more content…
After the Indian population had dwindled drastically, the effectiveness of encomiendas decreased. The hacienda system of landed estates found a home where the encomienda system used to prosper. The hacienda system was a system where American Indians worked free of wages for a landowner, and were bound to the land by being indebted to the state. Haciendas were the main means of production. They produced food for the miners, saddles, ropes, and sacks which aided in the production of gold and silver. Agriculture and ranching supported the time of haciendas and econmiendas. Although the encomienda system was not abolished until the 18th century, it remained unpopular for an extended period of