what sequence of steps did the Spanish follow to establish colonies in America
1. Exploration: Spanish explorers such as Christopher Columbus, Hernan Cortes, and Francisco Pizarro sailed to the New World in search of riches and new territories.
2. Conquest: The Spanish conquistadors defeated and enslaved the native peoples of the Americas, establishing control over vast regions of land.
3. Establishment of settlements: The Spanish founded colonies in present-day Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, building towns and cities to support their expanding empire.
4. Encomienda system: The Spanish implemented the encomienda system, where land grants were given to Spanish colonists along with the right to extract labor from indigenous peoples.
5. Missionization: The Spanish established missions throughout the Americas to convert native populations to Christianity and assimilate them into Spanish culture.
6. Administration: Spanish officials governed the colonies through the Council of the Indies in Spain and appointed viceroys to oversee local governments.
7. Economic exploitation: The Spanish exploited the natural resources of the Americas, such as gold, silver, and sugar, to enrich themselves and the Spanish crown.
8. Cultural assimilation: The Spanish imposed their language, religion, and customs on the native populations, resulting in the blending of Spanish and indigenous cultures in the Americas.