Lesson Plan | Traditional Methodology | Spanish Colonization in America: Economy, Society, Administration, and Slavery

Objectives

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to provide students with a clear and objective overview of the main themes that will be addressed in the lesson. This prepares students for a detailed understanding of the topics and establishes a solid foundation for learning, ensuring they know what to expect and where to focus their attention during subsequent explanations and discussions.

Main Objectives

1. Identify the main aspects of Spanish colonization in America, including economy, society, administration, and slavery.

2. Understand the participation of the church and the relationships with indigenous peoples during Spanish colonization.

3. Analyze the impact of the enslavement of African peoples and the role of mercantilism in Spanish colonization.

Introduction

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to provide students with a clear and objective overview of the main themes that will be addressed in the lesson. This prepares students for a detailed understanding of the topics and establishes a solid foundation for learning, ensuring they know what to expect and where to focus their attention during subsequent explanations and discussions.

Context

During the 16th century, Spain began one of the most vast and impactful colonization processes in history, extending its dominion over much of the Americas. This period was marked by profound transformations in terms of economic, social, and cultural aspects, both for the colonizers and the indigenous peoples inhabiting these lands. Spanish colonization brought with it new forms of administration, an economy based on mercantilism, the imposition of the Catholic religion, and, unfortunately, the introduction of the enslavement of African peoples and the exploitation of indigenous peoples.

Curiosities

Did you know that some of the oldest cities in the Americas, such as Lima in Peru and Mexico City, were founded by the Spanish during the colonial period? Furthermore, many of the words we use in Portuguese, such as 'batata' (potato) and 'chocolate', have origins in the indigenous languages of Latin America and were incorporated into our language thanks to contact with Spanish colonizers.

Development

Duration: (45 - 50 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to allow students to gain a detailed understanding of the main aspects of Spanish colonization in America. Through clear explanations and concrete examples, students will be able to identify and analyze the economic, social, administrative, and religious elements of the colonial period, as well as the implications of slavery and relations with indigenous peoples.

Covered Topics

1. Colonial Economy: Explain how the economy of the Spanish colonies was based on mercantilism. Highlight the extraction of precious metals like gold and silver and the importance of encomiendas and haciendas in agricultural production. 2. Colonial Society: Detail the social hierarchy, highlighting the position of Spaniards, criollos, mestizos, indigenous peoples, and enslaved Africans. Explain the social stratification and the role of different groups in colonial society. 3. Colonial Administration: Describe the administrative structure of the colonies, including the viceroyalties and general captaincies. Explain the function of corregidores and the role of the Council of the Indies in the administration of the colonies. 4. Church Participation: Address the influence of the Catholic Church in colonization, highlighting the evangelization of indigenous peoples and the role of religious orders such as Jesuits and Franciscans. 5. Slavery and Forced Labor: Explain the encomienda and mita systems, and how these systems exploited indigenous labor. Also address the importation of enslaved Africans and the impact of this practice on colonial society. 6. Relations with Indigenous Peoples: Discuss the consequences of Spanish conquest for indigenous peoples, including violence, disease, and cultural changes. Highlight indigenous resistance and revolts.

Classroom Questions

1. What were the main economic products extracted from the Spanish colonies in America and how did they contribute to the mercantilist system? 2. How did the social hierarchy of the Spanish colonies influence the daily lives of different social groups? 3. How did the Catholic Church influence administration and social life in the Spanish colonies?

Questions Discussion

Duration: (25 - 30 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to review and consolidate the knowledge acquired during the lesson, allowing students to reflect on the content discussed and express their understandings. This moment of feedback and discussion is essential to ensure that students internalize the material and can make connections between the various aspects of Spanish colonization.

Discussion

• Explain that the main economic products extracted from the Spanish colonies in America were primarily gold and silver, which were sent to Spain to increase the wealth of the kingdom. Encomiendas and haciendas also produced agricultural products such as sugar, tobacco, and cocoa, which were exported to Europe.

• Detail that the social hierarchy in the Spanish colonies was very rigid, with Spaniards born in Spain (peninsulares) at the top, followed by criollos (descendants of Spaniards born in America), mestizos (descendants of Spaniards and indigenous peoples), indigenous peoples, and finally, enslaved Africans. This structure influenced all aspects of daily life, including work, housing, and legal rights.

• Discuss how the Catholic Church had a significant influence on Spanish colonization, not only in the evangelization of indigenous peoples but also in the administration of the colonies. Religious orders such as Jesuits and Franciscans founded missions and schools, and the Church often acted as an intermediary between colonizers and indigenous peoples.

Student Engagement

1. Ask students: 'Why was the extraction of precious metals so important to the Spanish mercantilist system?' 2. Propose a reflection: 'How do you think the social structure of the colonies affected the lives of indigenous and enslaved Africans?' 3. Question: 'In what ways could the evangelization by Jesuits and Franciscans have impacted indigenous cultures?' 4. Ask students to discuss in pairs: 'What could be the long-term consequences of the social hierarchy established by the Spanish in the Americas?'

Conclusion

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to consolidate the knowledge acquired by students during the lesson, recapping the main points discussed and reinforcing the connection between theory and practice. This final review helps to fix the content and demonstrates its relevance for understanding the current world.

Summary

• The main aspects of the Spanish colonial economy, including mercantilism and the extraction of precious metals.
• The rigid social structure of the Spanish colonies, highlighting the different social groups and their positions in the hierarchy.
• The colonial administration, with viceroyalties, general captaincies, corregidores, and the Council of the Indies.
• The participation of the Catholic Church in the evangelization and administration of the colonies.
• The forced labor systems, such as encomienda and mita, and the enslavement of African peoples.
• The relations with indigenous peoples, including violence, disease, cultural changes, and indigenous resistance.

The lesson connected theory with practice by providing concrete historical examples, such as the founding of colonial cities and the structure of encomiendas, allowing students to visualize how the concepts of economy, society, administration, and religion manifested in the daily lives of the Spanish colonies.

Understanding Spanish colonization in America is crucial for comprehending the formation of contemporary Latin American societies. The influence of colonization is visible in cultural, linguistic, and social aspects. Additionally, the history of power relations and resistance offers important lessons about injustice and resilience.