Factors Influencing Development in Spanish America and Latin America

1. According to Mahoney and vom Hau (2005), what factors affected development in Spanish America? In your answer provide specific examples of each of these factors. (minimum 300 words) 2. Did all territories in Latin America develop in the same way during and after the colonial period or not? Explain your answer and provide examples. (minimum 300 words)

1. Factors such as colonial heritage, geography, resources, impact on indigenous populations have shaped development in the Spanish Americas, leading to regional disparities. 2. No, during and after the colonial era, not all Latin American territories saw the same level of development.

Factors Influencing Development in Spanish America

Factors influencing development in the Hispanic Americas include colonial heritage, geography and resources, impact on indigenous populations, trade and commercialism, political institutions and influence culture.

Development disparities exist because of differences in resource distribution, economic specialization, differences between settlers and extractive colonies, impacts on indigenous populations, and the presence or absence of aspects of policy stability. These factors have contributed to different trajectories of economic growth, political stability and social development in different regions of Latin America.

Spanish Colonization Ambitions

Spanish colonization ambitions were to take gold and silver from the Americas, strengthen the Spanish economy, and make Spain a more powerful country. In addition, Spain sought to convert Native Americans to Christianity. Spain was motivated by three major factors. Columbus, like his Spanish patrons, sought fame and wealth on his journey.

Historical Overview of Spanish Colonization

After the first 1492 expedition of Genoese mariner Christopher Columbus under authorization from Queen Isabella I of Castile, the Spanish colonization of the Americas began in 1493 on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. These Spanish Empire foreign territories were under the jurisdiction of the Crown of Castile until the last territory was lost.

Impact on Indigenous Populations

The dense populations of indigenous peoples were viewed as a valuable economic resource for Spaniards, and the land was viewed as possibly providing tremendous wealth for individual Spaniards and the crown. Religion had an essential role in the Spanish conquest and assimilation of indigenous peoples, whether amicably or forcibly bringing them into the Catholic Church.

Colonization Effects

To oversee the large region, the crown established civil and ecclesiastical structures. Spanish colonists settled in greater numbers where indigenous populations were dense and significant resources were available for extraction. The Spanish Empire would include the Caribbean Islands, half of South America, nearly all of Central America, and the majority of North America.

Sport and Colonialism

Historians point to the spread of sports as a result of imperialism and colonialism, noting the introduction of basketball, boxing, cricket, and football from the empires to their colonies. By examining sport history in the context of Latin America, historians can recognize the power disparities between the colonial elite and those in less fortunate circumstances.

Latin America Development Disparities

Not all Latin American territories saw the same level of development during and after the colonial period. The residents' social and cultural traits vary according to their pre-Iberian conquest constitution, the timing and form of European colonization, and their different material endowments and economic responsibilities.