HISTORY ASSIGNMENT

TOPIC: THE OVANDO ADMINISTRATION

Student: Kavish Somwaru

Teacher: Miss Elliot

 Summary on the colonization of Hispaniola

Although encomienda was legalized in 1503 it was abused and

the labour problems were not solved with a growing population
and may have been a reason for the colonization of other islands.
Spanish men and women were encouraged to travel to Hispaniola
and by 1506 there were 12,000 Spaniards in Hispaniola. Ovando
expelled the troublesome settlers and made Hispaniola more
attractive for the law-abiding. He also allowed Jews and
Conversos along with the Castilians to settle in the indies, this
allowed him to invest for expansion. Due to promising factors,
Spanish settlers migrated there which led to an increasing
population. Santo Domingo, which was destroyed in a hurricane,
was rebuilt by Ovando in 1502 and became the main settlement
for Spaniards which attracted many officials and tourists. This
remained the capital of the Spanish empire until Havana took
over. Since everywhere on the island were free from cattle
diseases animal production increased rapidly that meat carcasses
were left rotting on the savannahs. Some of the surplus were sold
to passing ships and eventually becoming an important trade for
Hispaniola. Hispaniola was self-sufficient in livestock and meat.
Pigs and cattle were abandoned in mountains and hunting them
became a sport called Monteria. The fat from these animals were
used for making candles which was a profitable trade for
Hispaniola. Some crops would not grow while rice grew
successful in the wet areas. Yam and cassava were some of the
main food used and fruits were imported from Spain and grew
very well while bananas were brought from the Canary Islands.
Tobacco was indigenous to the island and Spanish continued its
growth. Sugar was brought from the Canary Island for local and
not for export.