Trailblazers: The Success of the Spanish Colonies The fate of global civilization was radically changed when Christopher Columbus embarked for the New World in 1492, launching the leading European powers into a race for colonization and exploration. During this time, each country achieved varying degrees of success by employing different tactics to best conquer the uncharted territory of the Americas; for example, the French exploited the trade of beaver pelts to obtain territory and economic success (Kennedy & Cohen 99). Many of these European colonies grew into flourishing cities and centers of culture and newfound traditions. However, especially in the case of the Spanish conquest, each colony faced adversity when interacting with the indigenous…
As the world grew and civilizations rose, there were those who used brute force, manipulation, and raping of cultures to gain money, power, and complete control of what they so desired. First starting off with the spanish capture of mexico and then the complete takeover of the Native Americans by the new American settlers. The book that will be used to help explain everything will be Juan Gonzalez revised edition of Harvest of Empire:A History of Latinos in America. When the world was young many powerful countries looked over their sea in search for new lands and treasures.…
Fall of Aztec Empire For many years now, historians have pondered upon the many reasons for the fall of the Aztec Empire. There have been many factors that played into the fall of the Empire, such as the diseases plaguing the population, the Spaniard’s technological advantages, religious rivalries, alliances, and the list goes on. But to focus on two of the major contributors, this essay will focus on the effects of European diseases on Mexico, and the impact alliances between the Spaniards and the Tlaxcala people had on Tenochtitlan. To begin our observations, we will delve into the life of a man named “Hernan Cortés”. Hernan Cortés was a Spanish Conquistador, and one of the driving forces in the fall of the Aztec Empire through the capture of Tenochtitlan and of the then leader Motecuhzoma II.…
Summary In Miguel Leon-Portilla’s The Broken Spears: The Aztec Account of the Conquest of Mexico, the author shares the Aztec account of the Spanish conquest of Mexico in 1519. Throughout the book, Portilla discusses the significant events that occurred in the Aztec society. The indigenous groups in Mexico such as the Mexica (Aztec) had a thriving culture and advanced society in ancient Mesoamerica. The people of the Aztec society were educated, studied many subjects of interest such as astrology, and built great architectural pyramids that were breathtaking and beautiful.…
The Age of Exploration contributed to many negative factors from the 15th to 17th century. The Aztecs, Inca and Maya faced many conflicts from the actions of Hernando Còrtes. The trade of slavery grew rapidly and slaves were treated poorly. Another negative result is that the Native Americans suffered abusively under the control of Christopher Columbus and other explorers. As a result, the age of exploration lead to many downfalls in history that cannot be innovated.…
The downfall of the Aztec Empire in the 1500s was brought about by a very bloody and ruthless conquest orchestrated by Spanish conquistadors led by Hernán Cortés. Central America was devastated by the aggression of the European invaders who were ransacking every town for their valuables and subjugating the populace. Much of what is known about the events that unfolded comes from primary sources written by the Spanish participants or the stories written by the native Nahua people a generation or two after the whole affair, whose sources mainly consist of oral tellings of the circumstance from their ancestors. In Victors and Vanquished, Stuart Schwartz attempts to juxtapose these sometimes contradictory sources and explore the situation from…
PLUS There are many ways the PLUS program can be utilized to improve the Rio Calaveras community. Three ways I think PLUS can improve the Rio Calaveras community is by having changing the class schedule. Having free seating at lunch. And having rallies with other grades.…
The Latino Retreat is an annual festivity which takes place at the Mendocino College. The Latino Retreat allows for Latinos across Mendocino County to learn more about their educational opportunities, different ways they can thrive, as well as learn more about their culture. This year, the Latino Club at WHS had the opportunity to attend the 30th annual Latino Retreat. Every year, a motivational guest speaker attends the college and the students have an opportunity to speak to him or her afterward. This year, the speaker was Samuel Blanco III, director of the Upward Bound Program at UC Davis.…
Intro In 1522, the Aztecs was a Mesoamerican civilisation at the height of its power, atop its pedestal conquering neighbouring territories back and forth. A far cry from the downfall they would experience soon after. Despite the fact that they were at the height of their power, more than a few factors were already leading to the culmination of their demise even before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. The ever so-popular ‘tradition’ of human sacrifice with Mesoamerican civilizations due to religion was one of the many catalysts of their downfall.…
In the Early Modern Period, core nations such as Spain, Portugal, and Britain started to show interest and influence the societies in the New World. Among these nations, Spain was one of the countries that gained great power through the control of Native Americans. Spain was going through some major changes at this time, and these changes contributed much to the treatment to Indians. The Spanish nobles, also known as hidalgos, wanted to gain more power through the New World and take full advantage of the Indians. As cruel Spaniards’ killing, enslaving, and controlling of the Native Americans intensified, words for the rights of Indians rose.…
By reading your answer it reminded me by being in a Hispanic environment. Some Hispanics are Catholics. Losing your virginity is a sin. My family members always question my cousins and I, if were still virgins. It is actually nerve wrecking!…
The Spanish soldiers were ready to repel against Cortes because of the promise of riches (most had been shipped back to Spain). Cortes agreed that the soldiers deserved their pay and asked Spain to give it up. Cortes goal was to colonize Mexico into a powerful Spanish empire. The Aztecs were a group of Mesoamerican people of central Mexico in the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth centuries. Aztec culture had complex mythological and religious traditions.…
Aztecs were a bit rough with other groups in Mesoamerica, like strangers or enemies. There was no racial superiority or inferiority in their social system, it usually consisted of them being careful with strangers and kept their enemies away. This chapter talked a lot about the things they did in their society. I learned a lot about what traditions they used to influence young people and teach them from right and wrong.…
The United States is a country made up of countless ethnicities and nationalities from different parts of the world that have different cultural beliefs, traditions and customs. The rich culture of the U.S. mainly stems from immigrants, individuals who have migrated from another country. With any change there is struggle, especially when it comes to adapting to the culture of a new country. Amongst many immigrants who struggle to adapt to the American culture are those in the Latino Community. According to the U.S Census Bureau (2010), about 52 million Latinos /Hispanics live in the United States, which makes them the largest ethnic minority group living in the United States.…
In 1519, Spanish explorers, under the leadership of Hernán Cortés, set foot on what is now modern-day Mexico in search of gold and land in the Aztec Empire. Although the Spanish initially had no intentions (or orders from Cuban governor Diego Velásquez for whom they made the voyage) to colonize the Aztec Empire, they sought to communicate with the inhabitants and spread their Christian faith. However, the end of 1521 saw the mighty Aztec Empire practically cease to exist, its emperor Montezuma II join the many victims of the conquest, and the survivors put under the rule of the Spanish. A variety of factors came into play regarding the Spanish’s ability to conquer this mighty empire, including the ability to communicate verbally, the religious beliefs of both peoples, and the devastating effect of disease on the Aztec empire.…