In Jeremy Baskes’ article, he argues against the view that the Repartimiento de Bienes were an institution that forced Indians to buy goods from the Spanish government against their will, but rather that the Indians used this system voluntarily and often benefitted from it. He begins by focusing on the economic and political position of the repartimiento, explaining what they were and how they developed in the first place. He also goes into detail about how the alcades mayores distributed the goods given on credit through the repartimiento, and how they received payment, or, when they didn’t receive it in a timely manner, what they did to recover their profits. He then analyzes the claim that the repartimiento was used to force Indians to pay …show more content…
His key point is that “the strong ‘invisible hand’ of the market” was the biggest factor in the development of the repartimiento (2). There were no other viable means for Indians to get credit to buy farm animals or other expensive goods—a merchant could not reasonably extend credit to an Indian he did not know because of the high risk of default, compounded with the fact that he had no means to coerce payment. The alcade mayor was the only person who had the means to both extend credit to the Indians and have the authority to demand repayment (13–14). While he could have used his power “to collect the debts owed to private merchants” as well as the debts owed to him, it made more sense to discourage private merchants from lending so as to bring himself more business (14). Baskes does not think that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that repartimientos were regularly forced upon Indians who didn’t want them, however; the main reason for this is that the alcade mayor simply did not have enough political power to do this. Since he was the only representative of the Spanish government, with repartimientos “at times even prohibited by the Crown,” even they would likely not defend him if Indians resisted an effort to coerce them to take a repartimiento (9–10). Since the ability to extend credit to Indians “was necessary to permit the expansion of markets,” and private merchants were usually unwilling to risk their own money to do this, the Spanish had to step in in order to expand their economic reach
While Verrazano speaks kindly of these courteous and generous groups, he also speaks of encounters with people he deems “full of crudity and vices.” He claims that interaction with these groups was difficult. He describes their attempts to trade with this group; “they sent us what they wanted to give on a rope, continually shouting to us not to approach the land.” This description provides us some insight into the feelings of the Indians towards these new European invaders. Their actions seem to be based on fear and apprehension towards these unknown men (Voices of Freedom, 9).
“Victors and Vanquished,” through excerpts of Bernal Diaz del Castillo The True History of the Conquest of New Spain and indigenous testimonies from the Florentine Codex, represents the clash between European and indigenous cultures and how there was no simple “European” or “indigenous” view. Rather, there were a variety of European and indigenous opinions and interpretations that were influenced by personal interests, social hierarchy and classes, ethnic biases and political considerations.
Restall’s ultimate goal in writing this book is to provide readers and scholars alike with a more realistic viewpoint and history of the Spanish conquest. He wishes to dispel the many myths that accompany the epic tale so as to provide a better understanding of who the natives were and, more importantly to Restall, who the Spanish were. He does an excellent job of questioning the who, what, and where of the personalities and motives of the men involved in conquest. These questions are heartily answered in a well-written and easy to read history book.
Deborah Miranda’s Bad Indians utilizes a unique blend of writing styles to piece together a clearer and more distinct view on the Mission system, Gold Rush, and settlement of California. Through this revolutionary collection of writing, we receive a detailed account of the treatment that California Indians had to endure during the Missionization era and are able to draw our own conclusions in regard to whether the missions were a positive or negative aspect of California history. Although Miranda’s ancestors suffered and survived horrible conditions, she, in my opinion, does not villainize the Mission system, but rather displays the facts as they are, therein allowing us to reach our own conclusions in relations to this history. Because there
In this paper, I will be summarizing the following chapters: Chapter 3: "A Legacy of Hate: The Conquest of Mexico’s Northwest”; Chapter 4: “Remember the Alamo: The Colonization of Texas”; and Chapter 5: “Freedom in a Cage: The Colonization of New Mexico. All three chapters are from the book, “Occupied America, A History of Chicanos” by Rodolfo F. Acuna. In chapter three, Acuna explains the causes of the war between Mexico and North America. In chapter four, Acuna explains the colonization of Texas and how Mexicans migrated from Mexico to Texas. In chapter five, Acuna explains the colonization of New Mexico and the economic changes that the people had to go through.
One of the weaknesses of this book was the way in which a strong opinion of the author frequently came to the surface. The impression given when reading was one of bias in that the Spanish were wrong to come in and refine everything. This was reflected in the fact that periodically within the book, when the Spanish conquistadors did something to the Indians, it was pointed out how inhumane it was. Yet, when the Indians retaliated in some way, it was quickly pointed out how justified they were. The mentioned advantages that the Indians gained through the Spaniards were infrequent and underdeveloped.
In the late 1500’s Francisco Toledo, Spanish Viceroy of Peru, implemented many reforms centralizing the colonial government. He implemented regulations that grouped the natives into small settlements or villages, much like those seen in Europe, with grid like streets, a central plaza that faced the church, and a jail, etc. The Indians resisted these villages and many even fled. In the face of Indian resistance the Spanish authorities planned on using the Kurakas’ traditional power over the labor and goods of the Indigenous people to benefit the state by gaining control over these societies and using these goods and services of the natives as forms of payment to the state.
separate how De Las Casas might have been an outspoken critic of the Spanish’s treatment of indigenous people, and how he was still a part of a repressive institution. Finally, I
In the 16th century Spaniards Herman Cortes and Christopher Columbus set out on endeavoring journeys in search of new worlds. Christopher Columbus encountered, in the Caribbean islands, a group of extremely simplistic Native Americans. Herman Cortes however encountered a much more advanced Native American group in Meso America; we formally know this area to be Mexico. In my essay I will be comparing and contrasting several aspects between both of these Native American Civilizations including sophistication, technology, housing, weapons, religion and their reaction to the Spaniards. Letters written by Columbus and Cortes will be used to make these comparisons.
This section highlights that history has created a false narrative depicting the natives as a victimized people, which they were to some extent but only in the fashion that they did not possess the same technology for warfare, immunity of communal diseases transmitted, and they were not anticipating combat. All other factors considered, the natives stood to be a potential threat. In regards to knowledge obtained by Spaniards prior to arrival and knowledge gained from observation, it would be remiss had they not prepared for battle. This argument is not to be misconstrued in approving their actions; I do recognize colonization as an evil for both the reasons employed and its damaging effects, but rather to change the narrative surrounding that of the native people. While they did experience a tragedy, I feel that it is erroneous to write them into history as being incompetent resulting from their
This paper will discuss the impact Spanish colonization and Mexican control had on the indigenous Indian population in California between 1769 and 1848. As well as discussing the historical origins, social organizations, material conditions, and world-view of the California Indians prior to 1769, this paper will explain the impact of New Spain’s Mission System on the Alta California Indian population between 1769 to 1821 and the response of its system by the Indians.
"Native Americans, Treatment of (Spain Vs. England) (Issue)." Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. Economic History. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 8 Jul. 2015 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.
The Native Americans once thrived on the rich land of the Americas, and they built a long-lasting civilization with the help of nature, gods, and organized roles within the tribes. However, the thriving population plummeted after their encounter with diseases and forced labor brought upon them by the Spanish and Portuguese conquistadores. Although at first the conquistadores mistreatment of Native Americans seem shallow and unethical, their conquest of the Americas only partially reflects the claims of the English Black Legends..
From Reséndez’s foundation of European enslavement and its far-reaching impact on Native American populations, Reséndez examined racial components in the southwest. It is impossible to separate racial tension from the study of Indian slavery. Christopher Columbus’s journals as contemporary letters show the Spanish perception of
Dawson, Alexander S. “From Models for the Nation to Model Citizens: Indigenismo and the ‘Revindication’ of the Mexican Indian, 1920–40.” Journal of Latin American Studies 1998 : 279-308. Print.