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Period: Jan 1, 1490 to
Latin America Under European Influence
Although native culture survived to some extent, the Spanish occupation of Latin America drastically changed society, the economy, and the political systems of Latin America. -
May 3, 1493
Town of Isabella is founded
Christopher Columbus founded Isabella, one of the first Spanish settlements in Latin America. He did this in 1493, on his second voyage to the New World. This event shows change, as Latin America is now being colonized by Europeans. -
Apr 2, 1501
Cumana is founded
The first permanent settlement by Europeans in the mainland Americas is made by Franciscan friars in present-day Venezuela. Although the settlement was relocated due to native attacks, it was initially established in 1501. This shows change, as the natives in the Americas were beginning to be affected by the Europeans. -
Feb 1, 1519
Spanish war against the Aztecs begins
The Spanish begin their war against the Aztec Empire in present-day Mexico. This occurs sometime in February 1509. The Spanish were led by Hernan Cortes. This event shows a drastic change, as it is the first Spanish conquest in the New World. While not the last, it is certainly one of the most significant conquests by the Spanish. -
Nov 8, 1519
Cortes captures Moctezuma II
During his visit to Tenochitlan, the Aztec capital, Cortes takes Moctezuma II, the emperor of the Aztec empire, hostage. Cortes uses Moctezuma to control the Aztec empire for several months. This marks change, as it sets a standard for Spanish conquerors to capture the leader of the Native American empires. -
Aug 13, 1521
Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire
In 1521, the Spanish, led by Cortes, and allied Native Americans captured Tenochitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire. They then established New Spain in modern-day Mexico. This event marks change, at least for the natives, due to the fact that the Spanish captured the first native empire. -
Feb 3, 1532
Spanish attack on the Incas
The Spanish arranged a meeting with Atahualpa, the emperor of the Inca Empire. They captured him and used him to get gold from the Inca Empire. This is continuity, as the Spanish used the same tactic with the Aztecs earlier. -
Feb 3, 1542
Viceroyalty of Peru established
In 1542, the Spanish finished the conquest of the Incas and established a colonial government in Peru. This is continuity for the Spanish, as they had established other colonial holdings by this point, but it was change for the natives, as they were now under Spanish rule. -
Feb 3, 1551
Spanish conquest of the Mayas begins
In 1551, the Spanish stepped up their efforts against the Mayan Empire and other groups in the Yucatan peninsula. This is only continuity, however, as the Spanish had been raiding Mayan cities for gold for many years by this point. -
Feb 3, 1569
Spanish establish the mita
During colonial rule of Peru, the Spanish re-established the mita, a system of mandatory work shifts in service to the government. They did this to get free labor for the silver mines at Potosi. This shows continuity, as the Spanish brought back a system used by the Inca Empire. -
Spanish conquest of the Yucatan peninsula finished
Though the Mayas had already fallen by this point, the Spanish finished their conquest of the Yucatan peninsula sometime in 1697. This event shows continuity, because the Spanish had made many conquests in Latin America by this point in time.