Spanish Colonization of Americas (1492-1800s)
Columbus sailed west with blessing from Spanish Catholic monarchs. The conquerors read the “Requerimiento” document to indigenous peoples, demanding conversion or war. Pope Alexander VI granted Spain evangelization rights through his 1493 bull. Spanish forces defeated mighty Aztec and Inca empires while priests baptized natives. The religious mission masked the brutal encomienda system that exploited native peoples and their resources.
