Title: Consequences of the Conquest of the Aztecs
Headings: Consequences of the Conquest of the Aztecs
Consequences of the Conquest of the Aztecs
It Sparked a Wave of Conquests
The Population of the New World was Decimated
It Led to Cultural Genocide
It Brought Forth the Vile Encomienda System
It Made Spain a World Power
Sources
Watch Now: Profile of Hernan Cortes

Content: a conquistador or bureaucrat was "entrusted" with vast lands and the Natives living on them. The encomendero was responsible for the safety, education and religious well-being of the men and women on his land, and in exchange, they paid him with goods, food, labor, etc. The system was implemented in subsequent conquests, including Central America and Peru. In reality, the encomienda system was thinly-disguised enslavement and millions died in unspeakable conditions, particularly in mines. The "New Laws" of 1542 tried to rein in the worst aspects of the system, but they were so unpopular with colonists that Spanish landowners in Peru went into open rebellion. It Made Spain a World Power
Before 1492, what we call Spain was a collection of feudal Christian Kingdoms which could barely put aside their own squabbling long enough to oust the Moors from Southern Spain. One hundred years later, a united Spain was a European powerhouse. Some of that had to do with a series of efficient rulers, but much was because of the great wealth flowing into Spain from its New World holdings. Although much of the original gold looted from the Aztec Empire was lost to shipwrecks or pirates, rich silver mines were discovered in Mexico and later in Peru. This wealth made Spain a world power and involved them in wars and conquests around the globe.