From the Native American perspective, the sixteenth century marked the beginning of the European invasion. The first Europeans to contact the Native nations were explorers, adventurers, soldiers, and missionaries who were seeking personal glory, gold, and souls for their god.
During the sixteenth century, the Spanish invasion of North America involved exploration seeking new riches (gold and slaves), the establishment of a few colonies to govern Indian nations, and missions to convert the Indians to Catholicism. In their chapter in North American Exploration. Volume 1: A New World Disclosed, Dennis Reinhartz and Oakah Jones write:
“Spanish exploration and eventual settlement of North America followed two distinct geographical routes: the expansion from the Caribbean Islands to the Florida peninsula, Guale (Georgia), the Carolina coast, and briefly into Chesapeake Bay; and the advance of the frontier northward from Mexico City into the northern kingdoms and provinces of New Spain.”
European nations assumed that they had a right to govern the Indian nations they encountered. This right stemmed from the legal and religious Doctrine of Discovery which declares that Christian nations have a right, if not an obligation, to govern all non-Christian nations. Once an Indian nation had been read the Christian history of the world, even though it might be read to them in a language they did not understand, then they were obligated to be ruled by the “superior” Christian nation.
Indian nations governed themselves differently than European nations, and consequently, Europeans often had a difficult time identifying leaders. The Spanish solved this problem by simply appointing their own governors, lieutenant governors, and war captains and then giving them the authority over the people. In this way, the new Indian governments became a part of the Spanish governance hierarchy.
The Spanish exploration, exploitation, and colonialization of North America was inspired, at least in part, by two sets of mythologies. The first was their own religious mythology through which they viewed the world. And the second was the mythology of wealthy kingdoms waiting to be conquered. Dennis Reinhartz and Oakah Jones write:
“Spanish explorers of the present-day southeastern United States were motivated largely by the search for mythical kingdoms and rich civilizations, as well as the quest to find a strait through the North American continent.”
Indian Laws
In 1573. the Spanish King issued “Laws Concerning Discoveries, Pacifications and Settlements Among the Indians” which was an extensive series of laws about exploration, settlement, and the treatment of Indians. The new laws did not speak of “conquest,” but rather of the “pacification” of the Indians.
Missions
Important to the Spanish was the conversion of the Indians to Christianity. Historian Richard Flint, in an article in the New Mexico Historical Review, writes:
“To be sure, all but the most skeptical of sixteenth-century Spaniards sincerely believed that the Catholic rite and Spanish culture they sought to impart to the natives of the New World were positive goods of universal value, necessary for the ultimate salvation and commodious existence in this life. In exchange for such inestimable benefits, it was beyond doubting that the peoples of the New World ought to be grateful and express that gratitude, in part, by paying tribute or tax to their generous benefactors.”
In 1573, the Spanish governor of Florida arranged for the Franciscans (a Catholic missionary order founded in 1209 by Francis of Assisi) to establish missions in the territories under his jurisdiction. Under Royal Orders, 18 Franciscans were to be sent to La Florida.
By the end of the year, three Franciscans had arrived and were working with the Guale and Orista. According to archaeologist Jerald Milanich, in his book Laboring in the Fields of the Lord: Spanish Missions and Southeastern Indians:
“The Franciscans were successful in baptizing the chief and his wife of the main town of Guale.”
This was a major victory for the Franciscans as the chief was in line to become the head chief over a number of villages.
More 16th-century American Indian histories
Indians 201: Florida Indians and the Spanish, 1513 to 1527
Indians 101: American Indians 450 years ago, 1570
Indians 101: The Zuni and the Spanish in the 16th Century
Indians 101: Acoma Pueblo and the Spanish, 1539-1599
Indians 101: 16th Spanish Religious Views of Indians
Indians 101: The Spanish and the Southeastern Indian nations 500 years ago, 1521
Indians 101: 500 Years Ago, 1519
Indians 101: American Indians 500 years ago, 1520