Spain Story

Spain Story

“The honor of giving America to the World belongs to Spain”

Historian Charles L. Lummis

Links: ~ Descendents of the Spanish Today ~ Spain in Her Golden Age ~ Aggressive Exploration ~

Spanish Money ~ Lords of Trading & Commerce ~ What the Spanish brought to the Americas ~

Education & Culture in New Spain ~ Spanish Law ~ Other Europeans ~

Spain's role in the American Revolutionary War ~

Descendents of the Spanish today

The Spanish are of paramount importance to the Four Corners. New Mexico and Southern Colorado

is the “Land of the Descendents of the Spanish Conquistadors”.

The Spanish Settlers that came to New Mexico 400 years ago were a tenacious group of pioneers.

They were the first Europeans in North America, to settle inland (near the center of the present US). The

Spanish needed an outpost, to protect the Northern border of New Mexico (the Arkansas River). New Mexico

at that time included the states of NM, CO, TX, AZ, CA, and NV. The land frontiers had to be protected

against intrusions by other Europeans. They also needed a home base for further exploration, as they actively

searched for gold and riches. The Conquistadors were the expanding force of the Spanish Empire. The conquest

and settlement of New Mexico, was carried out by a vast Spanish military and political structure.

The 2000 census, shows over 900,000 “Hispanics” in the territory of the original Spanish and Mexican Land

Grants. These areas at present, average over 40% Hispanic population. The highest percentages (65%) are in the

highlands of New Mexico, in Taos and Rio Arriba Counties. Until the 1880’s, the Spanish population was in the high 90%,

because few other Anglos had moved into the area. It wasn’t until the 1950’s to 1970’s, that a significant shift took place,

and the percentage of Hispanics fell below 50%. The New Mexico DNA Project used classic genetic markers estimating that

Hispanics from San Luis Valley CO show an admixture of 67% European and 33% Native-American. The mitochondrial DNA

shows 85% Native American and European origin 15%.

The Hispanics listed in the US Census from NM and Southern CO, are most likely of Spanish descent, and not, the

most recent immigrants from Mexico, Central and South America. There are some specific differences between the new

comers and the descendents of the original Spanish. The descendents have (1) definite Spanish physical characteristics;

(2) speak fluent English; (3) they speak a local Spanish dialect (more pronounced in the isolated mountain communities);

(4) members of the local Catholic Church that was organized by the early Spanish Settlers; (5) The Surname. A finite

number of original Spanish settlers came to New Mexico, consequently only a limited number of original Spanish surnames

are found.

~ Descendents of the Spanish Today ~ SPAIN STORY ~

Spain in her Golden Age

Never, ever, has a nation accomplished what Spain did, in her Golden Years. For good or bad, Spain changed history.

Even before the Jamestown Colony began in 1607, Spain had become the world’s first “Global Superpower”, with an extensive

trading network. Her overseas territories in the 1500’s were far ranging and extensive, spreading through much of the Western

Hemisphere, the Philippines, and Colonies in North Africa. She controlled the greatest empire in the history of the West. In 1607

Spain had the most powerful navy in the world, and her army was the largest land fighting force in Europe. Distance from England

to the East Coast was 2,000 miles; from Spain to Veracruz MX was 3,000 miles; from Mexico to the Philippines was 8,000 miles.

By 1607, Spain had conquered the Aztecs in Mexico and the Incas in Peru. The riches from these counties were carried

away in large treasure fleets back to Spain, “the largest booty in the history of the world”. The Pirates of France, England and

Holland lost no time in capturing the loaded Spanish Galleons as they headed home for Spain. By 1592 (1492 Columbus landed

in the Americas) the accumulation of metals in Europe had increased by five times. This influx caused wide spread inflation in

Spain.

~ Spain in Her Golden Age ~ SPAIN STORY ~

Aggressive Exploration

By the time the rest of Europe started settlements in the northeast US (early 1600’s), Spain had already explored the

Atlantic and Pacific Coasts of the Americas. They produced fairly accurate maps of the explorations, from the tip of South

America to Alaska (Pacific Coast), and from the tip of South America to Nova Scotia (Atlantic Coast). The Inland states the

Spanish explored were, AL, AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MS, MO, NE, NM, NC, NV, OK, SC,

NC, TN, TX, UT, WI. The rivers discovered were, the, Arkansas, Colorado, Columbia, Delaware, Hudson, Rio Grande, Mississippi,

Missouri, and Platte, also, Lake Utah and Chesapeake Bay. They were the first Europeans to explore the Appalachian Mountains

and the first to cross the Rocky Mountains.

The first European settlements in North America were Spanish, St. Augustine FL and San Gabriel NM. The first state

Capitol was San Gabriel in NM and not Santa Fe NM.

Spanish influence is found all over the Americas. In the US, Spanish place names are found in all 50 states. Some of the

early cities established by the Spanish are the Port Cities of St Augustine FL, Tampa FL, and Pensacola FL. Inland cities founded

were: in New Mexico, Santa Fe, Alburquerque, Bernalillo, Los Lunas; in California, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa

Bárbara, and Monterrey; in Texas, Galveston, El Paso, San Antonio; in Louisiana, Lake Charles, New Iberia; in Arizona Tucson; in

Missouri St. Louis; & Dubuque in Iowa, and many other cities. The oldest European buildings in the US are Spanish missions,

presidios and the port city of St. Augustine FL.

At that time the richest, most sophisticated and populated cities in the Americas were Spanish, Havana Cuba, Cartagena,

Columbia and Mexico City.

~ Aggressive Exploration ~ SPAIN STORY ~

Spanish Money

With the discovery of silver mines in Mexico and Peru, (1545-46) Spain began mining. She established Mints in Mexico City,

and Peru, and New World Coins began to circulate around the world. The Spanish Manila Galleons which traded money for goods

kept the southeast Asia economies going for over 100 years.

The colonies with no money of their own, used English, Dutch, and Spanish coinage (which was by far the most circulated).

When the Continental Congress printed their first paper money in 1776, it was secured by Spanish money. Mexican and Spanish

coinage were the backbone of American commerce. Spanish dollars were legal tender from 1793–1857. The dollar (Spanish peso)

was adopted as the monetary unit by the United States. In value, the Spanish peso was 374 grains silver and the US dollar was

371.25 grains silver.

Even before the US Revolutionary War began, The Spanish began a series of loans (hard money) to the Continental

Congress. In addition the Spanish were “spending money” at Gulf port cities, and along the Mississippi River.

After 1821, Mexican Silver established the Missouri economy when merchants from Missouri began using the Santa Fe

Trail to get to Santa Fe or Taos and link up with the Camino Real going south to Chihuahua Mexico. The US had little money in

circulation so the Eastern merchants were anxious to trade manufactured goods for the more valuable Spanish peso.

~ Spanish Money ~ SPAIN STORY ~

Lords of Trading and Commerce

During the 16^th and 17^th centuries, Spain and Mexico were booming, the merchants of Seville and Spain were trading world

wide. Mexico and Spain were buying goods by the shiploads. Goods were coming in from across the Atlantic (the Mediterranean,

Middle East and Africa). The Spanish Manila-Acapulco galleon trade set sail two to three times per year for 250 years. It was the

longest running commercial venture in colonial history.

In Mexico great cities were built by the Spanish on the European model. The big business was mining, the trading and

selling of goods from around the world, and the transport of goods using “mule trains” across Mexico, South America and

the Panama.

Spain’s territories (for 300 years) had treasure, gold, silver, sugar, tobacco, corn, chocolate, dyes, emeralds, other

gemstones, hides, exotic woods, copper, goods produced by the Indians, merchandise from the South China Sea i.e. spices,

cowrie shells, porcelains, silks, cotton, velvets, damasks, pearls, ivory, lacquer-wear and more.

~ Lords of Trading & Commerce ~ SPAIN STORY ~

What the Spanish brought to the Americas

The Spanish brought domestic animals to the Americas, the sheep, goats, hogs, cattle, chickens, mules, donkeys, and

most important, the “horse”. Spain was an equestrian culture. “A Spaniard will not do anything which cannot be done on

horseback” (proverb). The horse was a natural means of mobility. Spanish horses were well trained, the horse and rider working

together as one. Military horses and the Conquistador dressed in armor, was a fearsome war machine.

They also brought Mediterranean fruit and nut trees, citrus, grape vines, wheat, barley, cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, garlic,

lettuce, onions, peas, turnips, radishes cucumbers, and other garden vegetables. There were no additional animals or plants brought

by subsequent Europeans.

~ What the Spanish brought to the Americas ~ SPAIN STORY ~

Education and Culture in New Spain

Education was a priority of Spain. In Mexico were established, in 1548, the first public schools for both boys and girls (300

years before the US). They established colleges, and universities (three, 100 years before Harvard), medical schools, hospitals

mental hospitals. They had printing presses and printed books, dictionaries, and religious and educational materials in 12 dialects

(starting in 1539). Their scientists studied and documented the flora and fauna of the Americas. They studied the American

Indian cultures, their languages, history and customs. They also brought from Spain their own language, religion, culture, theater,

dance, songs, music, literature, and more. Their culture, language, laws, and history are part of who we are.

The enduring influence of Spain is that Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world today.

~ Education & Culture in New Spain ~ SPAIN STORY ~

Spanish Law

The Spanish came with their law. Every important event was recorded and documented. When Indian human rights were

violated, a succession of priests came to their aid, bringing the grievances before Spanish Courts until the unfair practices were

curtailed. In Mexico, Spain incorporated the established laws of each Indian community into the overall government structure.

Spanish Land Grants given in the US (AZ, CA, IA, LA, NM) became the first real estate in the US. Spain also issued land grants

to the American Indians in NM and AZ. These rights were recognized by the Republic of Mexico (diminished borders), and later

the US Government (who further reduced their borders). Consequently, the American Indians in NM and AZ obtained large portions

of their original homelands (unique in the US). Spanish matrimonial equal property rights were “before their time”. The laws

governing water and mining were also utilized by the US legal system.

~ Spanish Law ~ SPAIN STORY ~

Other Europeans

The French gained a large segment of US territory. They were primarily in the Northeast US – around Quebec, and of

course New Orleans LA. They were fur trappers and traders working along the major rivers. Her settlements were few, settling

areas of Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Orleans. They relinquished their territories just before the US Revolutionary War. The

Dutch held Manhattan Island, the English, the 13 Colonies, and the Portuguese only maintained Brazil.

The English Colonies produced tobacco, and the French and Dutch were fur trading. France and England both had sugar

plantations on the Sugar Islands of the West Indies.

The territory west of the Mississippi River belonged to Spain until 1821, then it became Mexico’s territory until the

US-Mexican War of 1846. Consequently the only Europeans living west of the Mississippi were Spanish, those in New Mexico,

and settlers in California living near the Missions.

~ Other Europeans ~ SPAIN STORY ~

Spain’s role in the American Revolutionary War

Before the US Revolutionary War began, the American Patriots asked both France and Spain for their help in defeating

England. They came to their aid, giving and loaning money, training colonial soldiers, and supplying frigates, safe harbor, and

ship repairs. France and Spain also protected Rebel ships from the English. The Colonists had no standing army, no means of

credit, and no experience with war, as the Europeans had, had for hundreds of years.

Spain was generous with the American Patriots, supplying uniforms, shoes, blankets, tents, tarps, bayonets, muskets,

rifles, ammunitions, grenades, medical supplies, gun powder, grenades, cannons, food and more. Spain had stockpiles of

supplies. They also collected intelligence for the Americans. The Spanish continued to support the American Patriots

throughout the Revolutionary War even though their own economic fortunes were on the decline.

In 1779, when Spain declared war on the English, the King of Spain commissioned Colonel Bernardo de Galvez, the

Governor of Louisiana, to conduct a campaign to drive the English from the Gulf of Mexico, and the Mississippi River. Gov.

Galvez had given aid to the Americans even before the war began. He negotiated with Gen Washington, Thomas Jefferson,

and Patrick Henry.

He quickly raised an army. All the New Spain eligible males including Indians, were required to become a member of

the militia and were drafted to fight for the American Patriots. The New Spain “locals” were from Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico,

Free Blacks, Creoles and American Indians, and Spanish Forces. Thousands of these Spanish soldiers and sailors died fighting

for American Freedom.

Gov. Galvez arranged for cattle from San Antonio River Ranches, to be driven from Texas to Louisiana to feed his new

army. In addition, hundreds of horses, mules, bulls, and food were taken to LA.

In the Spanish Territories, a “one time tax” was levied to raise money to fight for the Americans, two pesos for every

Spaniard, and one peso for every Indian. New Mexico and California sent their share. Other contributors were collections

from Churches and Missions both in the Americas and Spain. The “Ladies of Havana” donated their jewels to the cause.

Gov Galvez secured the Port of New Orleans, and the Mississippi River, which was crucial to the success of the War.

No English ships were permitted at the Port of New Orleans, nor were they permitted to navigate along the Mississippi River.

The River was a “ life-line” as the Spanish, French and Americans moved up and down carrying supplies, armaments, and money

to the Rebels. Consequently they provided the Colonists security of the Western and southeastern frontiers.

The Spanish won many battles against the English, at Baton Rouge, Natchez and Manchac. They captured Ft. Charlotte

in Mobile AL, Ft Josephs MI, a land/sea attack against the British Capitol at Pensacola FL, New Providence and the Bahamas.

The Americans thanked the Spanish on numerous occasions, and in 1893 the Philadelphia Congress gave the King of Spain

the title of “Powerful Protector and Defender of the Independence of the United States of America”. The US never did pay the

Spanish back.

~ Spain's role in the American Revolutionary War ~ SPAIN STORY ~