1.11 The Colonial Americas

Colonial Empires Take Shape

Spain and Portugal led early colonization, dividing claims via the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494). Spain built an empire on conquered Aztec and Inca lands using the encomienda system, forcing indigenous labor for landholders. Portugal focused on Brazil and coastal trading posts. Later, England, France, and the Dutch Republic established colonies in North America and the Caribbean, driven by mercantilist competition.

Labor, Exploitation & Demographic Collapse

European conquest devastated indigenous populations through violence, forced labor, and disease (smallpox, measles). As native labor sources collapsed, Europeans turned to the Atlantic slave trade, forcibly transporting millions of Africans to work on plantations producing sugar, tobacco, and cotton. This created a brutal, racially stratified labor system central to colonial economies.

Economic Theory: Mercantilism

Colonial policy was shaped by mercantilism: the belief that a nation's wealth and power depended on maximizing exports, accumulating bullion (gold/silver), and controlling trade with colonies. Colonies existed to supply raw materials and serve as captive markets, reinforcing competition among European states and justifying colonial expansion and control.

Key terms

Encomienda system

Spanish colonial system granting colonists forced indigenous labor and tribute in exchange for supposed protection and Christianization.

Treaty of Tordesillas

1494 agreement dividing newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal along a meridian line.

Mercantilism

Economic theory that national power depends on accumulating bullion and controlling colonial trade for the benefit of the mother country.

Columbian Exchange effects on population

European diseases like smallpox devastated indigenous populations, causing massive demographic collapse in the Americas.

Atlantic slave trade

Forced transportation of millions of Africans to the Americas to supply plantation labor after indigenous labor sources collapsed.

Try an AP-style question

Spanish conquistadors defeated the Aztecs and Incas largely because of…

1. help from England
2. larger armies from Spain
3. disease, alliances, and weapons
4. Native requests for Spanish rule