Through the time period 1450-1650 countries including Portugal, Spain, England, the Netherlands, and France fought over lands in the new world in order to import exotic and useful supplies. The way that these countries were conducting their business was better known as the Iberian System. However, most of the wars ended in treaties and these countries were able to coincide with each other. The Iberian System lost its use after the Roman Catholic Church caused and end to monopolies over the new lands. God made and still makes the world a better place.

During the late fifteenth century both Portugal and Spain staked claims abroad. Portugal gained a long lead over Spain in Africa and Asia. But after conquering Grenada, the last Moorish state on the Iberian Peninsula, and completely uniting the country, the Spanish monarchs turned their attention overseas. The resulting historic voyage of Columbus established Spanish claims to most of the Western Hemisphere.

The man most responsible for the brilliant exploits by the Portuguese was Prince Henry “The Navigator” who was named the “Navigator” because

Two voyages at the turn of the 16th Century laid the foundation for the Portuguese Empire in America and the Oreint. In 1497 Vasco da Gama left Lisbon, Portugal, in four ships, rounding the Cape of Good Hope after ninety-three days on the open sea he discovered India. While visiting and raiding the East African ports, da Gama picked up an Arab pilot who brought large cargos of pepper and cinnamon back to Portugal. The Portuguese also exploited kingdoms such as Kongo in Africa and Angola in East Africa.

Francisco Pizarro, the son of an illiterate peasant became the conqueror of Peru. He arrived on the northern coast of Peru in January 1531 with a little privately financed army of 207 men and 27 horses. For more than a year he journeyed south, getting reinforcements as he made his way through towns and villages burning them down as he went. He captured the Incan King Altahualpa, slaughtering some 6000 unarmed retainers of the Inca monarch. He made Altahualpa fill a room with silver and gold including the Imperial Throne. Then after getting his loot he killed Altahualpa for no reason. Pizzaro was a ruthless bastard.

Supplies had to be moved by waterways, wars with savages were frequent, disease was often rampant, and communications were nearly impossible. With all their unique features, Iberian overseas empires were similar to Roman or Turkish provinces: the were meant to produce revenues. In theory, all Spanish lands were the king’s personal property. The Spanish Lands were the king’s personal property.

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