Early American history - Assignment Example

Early American History Religion was significant in the conquest and colonization of America. . It provided controland a standard of conduct through shaping the values, attitudes and conduct of the Spanish during the age of discovery. This was done to limit the possibility of rebellion and opposition from the indigenous people. They argued that as long as the church was in place, there was a Spanish order, which could ease the colonization process to prosperity. The church prospered through the Crown.

Its missionaries facilitated the conversion of Indians through imposition of their ideas in religion like their political organization, monogamy, and protection. They believed that if they could convert them, then it would reduce the likelihood of resistance.During this time, they became successful and the church grew stronger. Every component of colonial life felt its presence. The conversion of Indians was an advantage to the Spanish and played right into their hands. The new political structure, religion and societal difference made it difficult for the natives to have control over themselves instead found that they were the second-class citizens in their own land.

Having converted the natives to Spanish cultures, they had the upper hand in controlling the American economy (Weisman, JoAnne and Deitch 34).With the new political and societal structures in place, new labor systems were introduced to replace those previously used by the natives. The Spanish held the belief that the Indies will exist as long as the Indians exist. The Spanish held the idea of exploiting the Indians. They would make them work in the mines and sugar plantations to acquire wealth to send to their country.

The labor systems would ensure constant labor without resistance. They implemented this in order for them to collect taxes and for the tribute to be paid to the crown by the natives. The labor systems were implemented to ease in the management of the workforce. The systems were varied and improved with time. With religion and these systems in place, the Spanish were able to take control of America (Hickling 342).The Spanish introduced several labor systems in order to exploit the natural riches/resources.

They used the heads of specific indigenous groups called the encomendero. This was system was called encomiendas. The head in exchange for protection and payment would command from the Indians, tribute and manual labor. The other system was the repartamientos. This system was later abolished except for mining. With realization that temporary and permanent wage employment was easier and effective in getting workers, they implemented it. This labor system seemed to be the best; the natives however found the pay to be minimal since taxes were imposed to pay the crown (Hickling 343).

Exploitation of the native people, prompted the Spanish to seek additional and alternative labor sources from Africa as slaves. The slave labor was to mainly help in the mining sector. This brought a mix between the races causing additional racial classes. For example, at 1953 in Mexico, the racial classes included the Spanish who were the elite and shop owner; the mestizos, the laborers and sometimes artisans; and the mullatos, the servants, labors and artisans. These diseases came up due to the rampant mingling and intermarriages among the races.

To curb this, western medicine was brought to America. The medicines were varied and helped treat those diseases that were there before the discovery process began.The colonial Spanish America in regards to this multi-racial group suddenly required them to pay to the crown tribute and compelled them into work as manual laborers. With this, the Spanish not only expanded their economy but their new empire. Through this, cities were constructed and estates built for Spanish dignitaries. This led to job creation for non-Spanish population even for those unborn by then in the sense that is; one would work where the parents work (Weisman, JoAnne and Deitch 34).

Through project work, haciendas came up forcing the Spanish to bring horses to help in the management. This is how the horses came to be in Spanish America. The systems employed by the Spanish, varied over time and became fair however most of the natives lacked extra time from their work schedule to provide for themselves and their families. The Spanish tried to justify their behavior by saying that they provided protection to the natives; they were religion saviors as the natives were not religious and paid them regardless of the mistreatment (Hickling 342).

Religion and labor systems played a major role in the Spanish Americas. They were used to ensure harmony between the Spanish and the natives. Religion was to primarily shape the conducts and values of the Spanish while labor systems were to ensure consistency in labor force, work schedules, remuneration and any other thing in regards to labor. With the religion, they were able to implement the labor systems as they used it as a tool for acceptance. Through the labor systems, they were able to improve religion through building churches through project work.

The intersection of these two tools led to the ease of power consolidation.Works CitedHickling Prescott, William. The History of the Conquest of Mexico. Raleigh, N.C.: Alex Catalogue, 1999. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 15 December 2014.Weisman, JoAnne B., and Kenneth M. Deitch. Christopher Columbus And The Great Voyage Of Discovery. With A Message from President George Bush. Picture-Book Biography Series, Volume 1. 34: 1990. ERIC. Web. 15 December 2014.