European Colonization Essay

Throughout the history of the Americas, there have been numerous influential figures. They have shaped the landscape, fought for independence and freedom, brought about inventions which have forever impacted our societies, and even made mistakes which brought about poverty, racism, and wars which all could have easily been avoided. However, there are five figures from the early history of the Americas, who stood out to me due to their significant impact on society and on a growing continent as a

While America changes socially over time, American ideology remains steadfast; selfishness and self-improvement serve as the core ethic of America. Additionally, this ideology removes obstacles to prosperity and promotes capitalism at the expense of others, the environment, and possibly one’s own psyche. Two societies that established these American principles are the Spanish and the Iroquois. Despite living in the same country, each culture varies in their moral principles. The Spanish treat themselves

helped the Spaniards fight close combat with the Indians. As soon as their chief died the Azteca would back down. Not only did the weapons cause a huge impact on the Aztec but also the spread of diseases such as smallpox that were carried by the Europeans affected the population. After conquering the Indians, the intensions of the Spanish in Mexico was to spread their beliefs about Christianity, find gold and use them as slaves. In drastic ways the Spaniards changed the native communities, for instance

The Conquest of Mexico and the conversion of the peoples of New Spain can and should be included among the histories of the world, not only because it was well done but because it was very great. . . . Long live, then, the name and memory of him [Cortés] who conquered so vast a land, converted such a multitude of men, cast down so many men, cast down so many men, cast down so many idols, and put an end to so much sacrifice and the eating of human flesh! —Francisco López de Gómara (1552) When people

Daniel Castro examines the work of Las Casas. He discusses the humanitarian element Las Casas is known for but mainly highlights the rarely exposed ambivalent political and economic imperialistic motives behind his “humanitarianism” and his will to convert the Indigenous people. Castro focuses on the apostle and destructor dichotomy of Las Casas. Castro states that while Las Casas was fighting to defend indigenous rights, he was also actively and willingly participated in aiding Spanish’s destruction

reason, cities were massacred, civilizations were destroyed or forced to convert to Christianity. And so, I think now is the time to reevaluate the actions of the European explorers who subjugated the native American peoples and their civilizations. Undoubtedly the most glorified and heroically portrayed of these figures of the European conquest of the New World were

The Black Legend in Spain William of Orange once stated, “Spain committed such horrible excesses that all the barbarities, cruelties, and tyrannies ever perpetrated before are only games in comparison to what happened to the poor Indians.” This statement is an example of an attempt to discredit the Spanish. Attempts such as these are known as the Black Legend. The Black Legend was the name given to the concept of cruelty and brutality spread by the Spanish during the 14th and 15th century. This

Pátzcuaro: Pátzcuaro is a small colonial town located in the Mexico city of Michoacán. It is reported that the town was founded as early as 1320 AD and was the capital of the Tarasco people for about eighty years. After the death of Pátzcuaro's king, Tariácuri, the town became a member of a three-part alliance, also including Tzintzuntzan and Ihuatzio. This league was distinctively known for its ability to defend its territory from Aztec onslaught. Nevertheless, the league welcomed the arrival of

In his essay, In defense of the Indians, Bartolome de las Casas draws few parallels between the Roman Empire’s conquest of Spain and the Spanish conquest of the Americas. First, Casas points out that the Romans referred to the Spaniards as barbaric and wild, while the Spanish also referred to the Indians as barbaric and stupid. Second, both the Romans and the Spanish thought of themselves as superior compared to the other side. Due to their superior feeling, as both the Romans and Spanish conquer

they had any gold. I gathered from them by signs that... there would be found a king who possessed large vessels of gold, and in great quantities.” (-- Christopher Columbus (1492)) The Native’s strong belief in sharing, unfortunately, caused the Europeans to fall into greediness. They took advantage of their kindness beyond the limit. Furthermore, he came up with a cruel system. In this system “they ordered all persons to collect a certain quantity of gold every three months. When they brought it