Spanish Imperial Power

The discovery of a new world by Christopher Columbus in 1492 opened up new opportunities for trading, conquest, and political success and wealth in the later years. Spain and England found their way to the Americas (by crossing the Atlantic, etc.) and established their own colonies, which were able to give their nations profits. In order to have the imperial power of Spain and England benefit from their colonial establishments, the dependent nations would use their surrounding natural resources which would be then used in trading, selling, and building ships, etc. Although both the British and the Spanish colonies existed for the profit and the power of the core nation, the two nations featured different systems of colonial administration.
Any treasure they were able to find, however, would partially belong to the Spanish crown back in Europe. During the 1500's and 1600's, Spain began to take over Mexico City and Peru. Hernando Cortez was able to control and conquer the Aztecs. Ingeniously, he joined with tribes that disliked the Aztec rule, and therefore they were able to overthrown Tenochtitlan. In Mexico City, the with the Royal Council of the Indies, the viceroys of New Spain appointed officials or inspectors. For example, Indians would be expected to work in the mills. The viceroys would appoint the mill inspectors, so that not so much injustice would take place in the working areas since the corenation was notified of unfair mistreatment of Indian workers. Likewise, maltreatment of indigenous people was also common in Peru. Peru was first conquered by Francisco Pizarro in 1531 through 1536. With him, he brought diseases, killing many of the population. He also captured the Inca Atahualpa and executed many officials. Without leaders, the Incas couldn’t fight properly and gave in to Spanish control. New Spain now controlled Mexico City and the Inca land of Peru. Spain controlled their dependent nations with a centralized form of government. The lands, were divided in five provinces. The viceroys acted for Spain and represented the King; they were important and respected. The Council of the Indies made colony laws, members of the cabildo (city council) were appointed in each city or town in order to extend power. Also, supervisions were made in building towns and cities so as to not violate any Spanish laws. The encomienda system was popular during this time. Encomiendas were the rights to demand taxes or labor from the Indians of the land. Encomiendas were used to make the Indians work (such us in mines - Potosi Mine in Peru - or mills in Mexico City) even when they were in danger of