Contents
1
Ancient Context
Islands known to the Romans: Insulae Fortunatae (Fortunate Islands)
2
Chronology of the Conquest
1402
Jean de Béthencourt (Norman) conquers Lanzarote for Castile
1479
Islands awarded to the Catholic Monarchs
1492
Christopher Columbus makes a stopover in La Gomera before crossing the Atlantic
1494
Bencomo inflicts humiliating defeat at Acentejo → "La Matanza"
1496
Tenerife falls, last island, after 94 years of cumulative resistance
3
Colonial Founding
La Laguna (founded ~1497):
La Laguna (founded ~1497):
- 1st colonial city without fortifications
- Model for South America
- Today classified as UNESCO World Heritage
4
Commercial Advantage
Canarian sugar and wine shipped to America duty-free → crucial commercial advantage
5
Nelson's Attack (1797)
- Nelson attempts to capture Santa Cruz
- Repelled by local defenses
- Loses his right arm (amputation)
- Emblematic example of Canarian resistance
Timeline
1402
Jean de Béthencourt (Norman) conquers Lanzarote for Castile
1479
Islands awarded to the Catholic Monarchs
1492
Christopher Columbus makes a stopover in La Gomera before crossing the Atlantic
1494
Bencomo inflicts humiliating defeat at Acentejo → "La Matanza"
1496
Tenerife falls, last island, after 94 years of cumulative resistance
1497
La Laguna (founded ~1497):