The conquest of America was rapid. The most often, two periods are distinguished: the first is that of the voyages of discovery and is limited to the caribbean maritime zone ; this period goes from 1492 to 1518. The second is the continental penetration, marked especially by the conquests of Mexico and Peru; this period goes from 1519 to 1543.
The conquest of America was rapid. The most often, two periods are distinguished: the first is that of the voyages of discovery and is limited to the caribbean maritime zone ; this period goes from 1492 to 1518. The second is the continental penetration, marked especially by the conquests of Mexico and Peru; this period goes from 1519 to 1543.
After 1543, Spain organizes these territories in viceroyalties, with an administrative, political and judicial organization, centralized. It is a period known as "pacification" and settlement. However, it is only in the year 1570, that a law of Philip II prohibits acts of conquest itself.
The first period was that of the introduction in Santo Domingo ("La Española") and of the discovery of the Caribbean zone. On the occasion of his four voyages made between 1492 and 1504, Christopher Columbus had discovered the islands, affected in South America in the eastern end of the present-day Venezuela (third trip) and the isthmus of Panama (fourth trip) until the current Honduras. The Spaniards took the basis of the island of Santo Domingo that successive widely to such an extent that quickly exhausted resources, including human. In 1508, they began the expeditions toward Cuba and Puerto Rico, in 1509 to Jamaica. The same year, took place the first attempts at implantation on the Tierra Firma, on the north coast of the south american continent (present-day Colombia).
In the course of this period, are also attended the first failed attempts of implementation in Florida. In 1513, Vasco Nuñez de Balboa is the first European to see the Pacific Ocean. It is the start of the introduction in Panama followed by a slow penetration toward the north of the isthmus.
The second period was that of the continental penetration with especially the conquest of two empires, Mexico and Peru. Cuba send shipments to the north (Mexico and Florida). Panama will be the port of the Southern Sea, where the Spaniards sent toward the western coasts of the south american continent. In 1536, it is by the Atlantic Ocean, that they penetrate the Rio de la Plata (Argentina and Uruguay). They will return the rivers up to Paraguay.
At the same time, there will be a penetration more diffuse to the heart of the continent, and the crossings will be carried out: in the north, the parties shipments from Mexico will join those of Panama. In the south, the Conquerors matches of the caribbean coast will join the coming from Peru to discover the center of Colombia and Ecuador. In the same way the accumulation will be made between those of Paraguay, Peru and Bolivia.
From Peru, they will discover Chile. And from Mexico will leave as soon as 1527, the first expedition to the Philippines, across the Pacific Ocean.
The Viceroyalty of Peru was established by Charles V in November 1542. The civil war that the Peru knew, delayed its real start. Its jurisdiction at this time covered the entire continent of south america.
