He Hispanic period Refers to the stage that began at the end of the fifteenth century, with the discovery of the"New World", and culminated in the nineteenth century, with independence movements in the Spanish colonies in America.
In this sense, the Hispanic period is the history of the birth, development and fall of Spain as an empire.
Seal of King Fernando El Católico on the map of America
The arrival of the Europeans to the American continent changed the course of history: millions of Spaniards moved to the New World in search of new opportunities and riches.
Colonies were established and a system was organized that allowed to exploit the land as well as the mineral riches of America, in short, Spain became the largest European empire after the Roman Empire.
This period lasted little more than three centuries and, traditionally. Is divided into three stages: the discovery of America, the conquest and the colony.
Phases of the Hispanic period
The discovery of America
The discovery of America occurred in 1492 and marks not only the beginning of the Hispanic period, but also the beginning of the Renaissance , Leaving behind the Medieval Era.
It is considered that the first time that the Europeans arrived at the lands of the American continent was in 1492, when the expedition of Cristóbal Columbus arrived at the island of Guanahaní, that denominated San Salvador.
Although Columbus was an Italian explorer, his expedition was sponsored by the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, Isabel of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon, which allowed Spain to expand more than any other empire in America.
Columbus made four expeditions into what was then known as the West Indies.
In its first trip founded Christmas, that later would be named Hispaniola (today Haiti and Dominican Republic).
In its second voyage (1493), the construction of the city Isabella began, after having decimated to the taínos, the aboriginal population of the island. In 1496, his brother Bartolomeo founded Santo Domingo.
The conquest of America
In 1500, the Tainos still resisted the Spanish invasion, refusing to forced labor in the plantations.
In this same year, the first explorations took place in the continental territory; These explorations were followed by the first initiatives of conquest within the continent.
In this sense, the city of New Cadiz was founded on the island of Cubagua, Venezuela; Shortly after, Alonso Ojeda founded the city of Santa Cruz (Peninsula Guajira, Venezuela).
Between 1519 and 1521, the conquest of the Aztec Empire was given. This conquest was guided by Hernán Cortés, who took advantage of the rivalries between the Aztec peoples To separate the empire; It is for this reason that the taking of this territory was made in such a short time.
The fall of the Aztec empire allowed the Spaniards to take control of other neighboring territories, such as Guatemala and Yucatan. The latter, which was Mayan territory , Was a much longer campaign and lasted from 1551 to 1697.
In 1536, a permanent colony was established in Buenos Aires; However, this colony would be abandoned in 1541 due to Aboriginal attacks. In 1537, the Assumption was founded, today Paraguay.
In 1532, Francisco Pizarro Captured the Inca emperor, which represented the first step of the struggle for the conquest of Inca territory (nowadays, Peru). Finally, in 1572, the Spaniards finished with the last resistance in that territory.
The colony
Once the Spaniards conquered a territory, settle colonies in this. In 1535, King Carlos I of Spain authorized the creation of the first viceroyalty in the American territory, the Viceroyalty of New Spain, whose capital would be the present City of Mexico.
Francisco Álvarez Toledo, Viceroy of Peru
In 1542, the Viceroyalty of Peru was established, with capital in Lima. This viceroyalty was composed of the territory of Peru and the New Kingdom of Granada (Colombia and Venezuela).
However, in 1717, the New Kingdom of Granada separated from Peru and went on to form a separate viceroyalty: the Viceroyalty of New Granada, whose capital was Bogota. In 1776, the last viceroyalty was created, that of Rio de la Plata, with capital in Buenos Aires.
Spanish Golden Century
By 1600, the Spaniards had obtained great economic benefits thanks to the exploitation of the territory of the New World, which allowed the Development of the capitalist economic system .
This period of economic boom is known as the Spanish Golden Age. At this time, the arts, such as the literature , Also flourished.
End of the Hispanic period
The Hispanic period culminates with the wars of independence in the Spanish colony in America. The weakening of the Spanish Empire began with the influence of the ideas of freedom and equality promoted the Illustration And by the French Revolution.
In 1809, independence was declared in two territories that currently belong to Bolivia: Sucre (May 25, 1809) and La Paz (July 16, 1809).
The next colony to declare its independence was Quito (August 10, 1809). In 1810, Mexico declared its emancipation And, in 1811, in Venezuela The act of independence was signed.
All Spanish colonies, except Cuba and Puerto Rico, became independent of Spain in the 1820s. In 1898, the Spaniards were defeated by the Americans in the Spanish-American War.
The colonies that Spain had for the time, the Philippines, Cuba and Puerto Rico, came under the control of the United States, which marked the end of the Hispanic period.
References
- Spanish Colonization Summary & Analysis. Retrieved on May 17, 2017, from shmoop.com.
- Spanish Colonization. Retrieved on May 17, 2017, from shmoop.com.
- Spanish Conquistadors and colonial empire. Retrieved on May 17, 2017, from khanacademy.org.
- Conquest and Colonization. Retrieved on May 17, 2017, from dlc.dcccd.edu.
- The Spanish Conquest and Colonization of Peru. Retrieved on May 17, 2017, from peruinformation.org.
- Spanish Discovery and Colonization. Retrieved on May 17, 2017, from u-s-history.com.
- Spanish Conquest and Colonization. Retrieved on May 17, 2017, from contrystudies.us.
- History of the Spanish Empire. Retrieved on May 17, 2017, from historyworld.net.