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Period: Jan 1, 1450 to
The Early Modern Period
Although European control of Latin America during the early modern era from 1450 to 1750 allowed certain aspects of Native American life to remain as it was before, the European control changed Latin America in almost all areas through colonization, building mining towns, reforms, and establishing governments. -
Jan 1, 1493
Colombus' Second Expedition in the Indies
Christopher Colombus' second expedition was the beginning of colonization in the Indies and a major change for the life of the native people of the Caribbean. The first colony established on Hispaniola became the model for later Spanish settlements in Puerto Rico and Cuba. -
Jan 1, 1494
Treaty of Tordesillas
The Treaty of Tordesillas settled conflicts over right of possession between Castile and Portugal by drawing a hypothetical north-south line around the globe. All land to the east of the line belonged to Portugal and all land to the west was reserved for Castile. The treaty was a change in European rule of Latin America because it divided European control and reserved land for each nation. It gave both Portugal and Spain even more control over Latin America. -
Jan 1, 1519
Hernan Cortes' Expedition to the Coast of Mexico
In 1519, Hernan Cortes led an expedition of 600 men to conquer the Aztec Empire in Mexico. During the expedition, thr Aztec emperor Moctezuma II was captured and killed, granting Spain control of Tenohtitlan. The expedition and the battles that followed were a change because it was the beginning of Spanish control in Mexico. -
Jan 1, 1533
Inca Capital Falls to Spanish Control
In 1532, Francisco Pizarro led a conquest to the Inca Empire and by 1533 brought down the Inca capital. The Spanish rebuilt the capital Lima near the coast. Spain had full control of the Inca region of Peru by 1540. The conquest of the Inca Empire was a continuation of the expansion of Spanish control of Latin America. -
Jan 1, 1545
Major Silver Discoveries In Peru
Mining towns developed in Peru between 1545 and 1565 as major silver discoveries were made. Potosi became the largest and most productive mining town of Peru. Silver discoveries led to labor drafts and forced labor in Latin America. The silver discoveries were a change in European control of Latin America because they increased the power and wealth of Spain, but lowered the power and rights of Native American workers. -
Jan 1, 1549
Royal Government Established in Brazil
Along with the growth of sugar plantations in Brazil, a Portuguese government was established in 1549. Similar to Spanish models, the government consisted of a single governor general and several governors to rule each region. The establishment of a government in Brazil was a change because Portugal began to exert its full control over its colonies. -
Dutch Capture of North eastern Brazil
From 1630 to 1654, Spain lost many territories to other nations because of weaknesses such as increasing debt and internal revolts. Among the land lost was the north eastern part of Brazil, which was targeted and captured by the Dutch until 1654. The Dutch capture of part of Brazil was a change in European control because it was a change of power, from Portuguese rule to Dutch. -
Recopilacion
The Recopilacion in 1681 codified the laws of Spanish colonies into the basis of an organized government. Before the Recopilacion, laws were contradictory and the division of powers within the bureaucracy were not defined. The Recopilacion helped to create the system of viceroyalties in Spanish colonies. This event was a continuation in Latin American history because it continued the control of Spanish government in the colonies. -
Gold Discovered in Brazil
In 1695, gold was discovered in the mountain regions of Brazil, later known as Mina Gerais. A gold rush began as a result and thousands of people flocked to Brazil, where the mines were worked mostly by slaves. The discovery of gold in Brazil was a continuation of the growth of mining towns in Latin America and a continuation of European control. -
Treaty of Utrecht
Following the end of the War of the Spanish Succession in 1713, the Treaty of Utrecht was created to recognize the Bourbon family as rulers of Spain. The Bourbon dynasty led to a series of reforms that affected the New World, including the expulsion of Jesuits from Latin America and new viceroyalties. The Treaty of Utrecht was a change in Latin America because it was a change of rulers and a new Spanish dynasty.