Spain Builds a New Colony
Spain Builds a New Colony is a Grade 5 history skill from California myWorld Interactive, Chapter 2: Age of Exploration. Students learn how Spain organized its conquered lands into New Spain in 1535, sending officials, building cities and missions, and forcing American Indians into brutal labor—while European diseases like smallpox caused devastating epidemics that killed millions of indigenous people.
Key Concepts
After the conquests, Spain organized its new lands into a colony called New Spain , officially established in 1535.
Spanish rulers sent officials to govern the territory, which included Mexico and parts of North America. They built new cities and missions to spread the Christian faith and Spanish culture.
Common Questions
What was New Spain?
New Spain was a Spanish colony officially established in 1535 that included Mexico and parts of North America. Spanish rulers sent officials to govern it and built cities and missions to spread Christianity and Spanish culture.
How did Spanish colonization affect American Indians?
Spanish colonization had a devastating impact on American Indians. Many were forced into hard labor in mines and on farms, and diseases brought by Europeans like smallpox caused terrible epidemics that killed millions of native people.
Why did European diseases devastate indigenous populations?
Indigenous peoples had no previous exposure to European diseases like smallpox, meaning their immune systems had no defenses against these illnesses, resulting in catastrophic death rates.
What textbook covers Spain building New Spain for Grade 5?
This topic is covered in California myWorld Interactive, Grade 5, Chapter 2: Age of Exploration.