Spanish Conquistadors - Conquest

Conquest

Portugal had previously established a marine route to China via the southern coast of Africa, with numerous coastal enclaves along the route. Following the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus in 1492, and of the Philippines by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, expeditions led by conquistadors in the 16th century established trading routes between these areas under the control of the Crown of Castile (modern-day Spain).

Human infections were transmitted for the first time worldwide, from Africa and Eurasia to the Americas and vice versa. The spread of diseases, including smallpox, flu and typhus, decimated the inhabitants of the New World.

The goal of the conquistadors was to increase their status and that of their descendants. Conquest was typically done by private enterprises through a contract called by Castile capitulaciones, established with the king or his representative. This empowered the group to conquer a particular territory within a specified time. An army was organized, under a leader or chief, who received a title from the king. In Castile those titles were capitán (captain), gobernador (governor), or adelantado (advanced), depending on the size of the army. In return, the expedition leader agreed to bear the expenses of the campaign and complete it within the time limit. Upon success, the land was exempted from tax and donated to future populations, and Castilian rights and freedoms were established. Even in victory, conquistadores often disputed the booty and fled or were executed or imprisoned.

In the 16th century perhaps 240,000 Europeans entered American ports. By the late 16th century American silver imports provided one-fifth of Spain's total budget.