ABSTRACT
This chapter shows that Spain developed a large, wealthy, and prosperous empire that in some ways was more humane than that of any other European power. In the early 1500s Spanish colonization was largely confined to Haiti, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Jamaica. Several expeditions had attempted to colonize the Isthmus of Panama, but all had failed because of Native American opposition. The Spanish government was determined to develop strong, stable colonies under firm royal control. Two agencies had already been organized to accomplish these ends. The first, the Casa de Contratacin, or House of Trade, regulated all aspects of economic life in the colonies. The second governmental agency to assist the king in ruling his American possessions was the Consejo de Indias, or Council of the Indies. From Mexico and Peru conquistadores marched out to conquer all of Central and South America. These areas were to form the core of the Spanish empire in America.
