Why did the Spanish breed with the natives?

The natives made a pact with the Spanish, giving them a wife as a gift. As a symbol of union between the Spanish and an indigenous nation. At first it was only to unite them in a pact, but then it became a control of the Spanish over indigenous peoples.

What did the natives think of the Spanish?

The Natives came to believe that the Spanish “had not their Mission from Heaven” because the Spanish so cruelly treated the Indians. The Indians saw them as evil.

What are mestizos mixed with?

The term mestizo means mixed in Spanish, and is generally used throughout Latin America to describe people of mixed ancestry with a white European and an indigenous background.

What rights did mestizos have?

They were able to inherit encomiendas and property as any Spanish son would. Also, if there was not a legitimate Spanish heir, the father would often give his property to an illegitimate mestizo son. Although the son could not legally own the land, he could unofficially control it (Lockhart 188-189).

How did the Spanish interact with the natives?

Spanish leaders formed alliances with some of the Indian tribes and provided them with tools, crops, livestock, and arms. The new materials available to these tribes gave them superior weaponry over their enemies. As Indians acquired horses, they became more mobile.

What was the purpose of mestizo?

Unlike many of the other terms for racial groups in colonial Latin America, mestizo was an official designation for purposes of tribute collection or exemption, which came to be used on both christening and marriage records as well.

How did the Spanish treat the natives in the New World?

In addition to forcing the native populations into slavery, the Spanish explorers forced them to convert to Christianity. Those who resisted were punished by a system called encomienda, in which natives were assigned to settlers through land grants as part of a deal.

How did Spanish exploration affect Native American populations in North America?

Spanish exploitation of native populations gradually moved westward, as the explorers continued their quest for silver, gold and other valuable natural resources. They continued their inhumane treatment of native populations in South America, and eventually moved north into North America.

What societies did the Spanish encounter when they came to America?

Once the Spanish got to the Americas proper (as opposed to the Caribbean islands), they encountered populous agricultural and urban societies, including sophisticated kingdoms and empires (especially the Aztecs and Incas).

What were the effects of the Spanish conquests of the Caribbean?

In the 20 years following Columbus’s landing on Hispaniola, Spanish explorers extended their reach to other Caribbean islands. Native populations in Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Cuba were also forced into slavery. By the end of their Caribbean conquest, the native populations among those islands were virtually destroyed.