Colonization of Ecuador by the Spaniards under the leadership of Francisco Pizarro, a Conquistador is another important phase in the entire Ecuador History which requires a special mention.
Colonization of Ecuador by the Spain
The Spaniards arrived in Ecuador in the 1531, executed Atahualpa, the last of the Inca rulers and set up their rule in the country. This way the Spaniards established their autocratic rule in Ecuador and started dictating every aspect of Ecuadorian lives. Ecuador remained a Spanish Colony for more than 300 years. Every action, whether legal or not was conducted on the name of the Spanish King. There was a strong belief among the Spaniards, that the whole of Ecuador was the property of the King of Spanish. The native population of Ecuador suffered from many dangerous diseases.
Results of Colonization of Ecuador
Ecuador, which was a part of the “Viceroyalty of Peru”, joined the new Viceroyalty of Nueva Granada, which was ruled by Bogotá. This was followed by Quito becoming the “Royal Audience of Spain” in 1563, which gave it the permission to deal straightaway with Madrid on certain essential matters, without depending on the “Viceroyalty of Lima”.
From 1809, the nationalist sentiments became strong among the Ecuadorians which ultimately led the way to the Independence of Ecuador, thereby ending years of Colonization.
