The term refers to the attempts made by Spain to establish and maintain colonies in various parts of the world, primarily during the 15th to 18th centuries.
Related terms
Conquistadors: These were Spanish explorers and soldiers who played a crucial role in carrying out Spanish colonization efforts. They sought wealth, power, and land for Spain.
Encomienda system: This was a labor system implemented by the Spanish colonizers where indigenous people were forced into labor for Spanish settlers in exchange for protection and religious guidance.
Columbian Exchange: Refers to the exchange of goods, ideas, diseases, and people between Europe, Africa, and the Americas as a result of Spanish colonization. It had significant impacts on both sides of the Atlantic.