Abstract
The paper considers the novel "Utopia" by Thomas More that describes conquests in a utopian society and Bartolome de Las Casas's "Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies." The paper examines the justification for conquest, treatment of the conquered, and rights of the conquered. The paper explains how these two works show different scenarios. In the Utopian society, there is reasonable justification for the conquest, the conquered people are treated well and the conquered people are given full rights. In the case of the Spaniards and the Indians, there is no valid justification for the conquest, the Indians are treated harshly, and the Indians are stripped of their rights. Despite these apparent differences, the paper shows that both works offer the same message.

Contents:
Conquering "Primitives" and the Justification for Conquest
The Treatment of the Conquered
The Rights of the Defeated
Conclusion

From the Paper
"In Utopia there is a lot of detail given justifying the conquest of primitives. This starts with a statement that the Utopians detest war and do not enter into battle easily. The strongest statement made about the Utopian position on war is that "they count nothing so much against glory, as glory gotten in war" (More, The Second Book of Warfare). Considering that society typically considers war as being associated with glory, this statement shows that the society rejects war as much as they possibly can. The book then goes on to describe the justifications for war. These justifications include defending their own country, driving out enemies from the lands of their friends, and freeing oppressed people from tyranny and bondage. It is this third justification that is their reason for conquering the original inhabitants of Utopia. Essentially, they consider that the original inhabitants are being ruled wrongly and that their conquering of the people will free them and allow them to be ruled in the correct way. The book even states that they conquer lands where people are oppressed out of "mere pity and compassion" (More, The Second Book of Warfare)."

Tags:justification, treatment, rights

Abstract
This paper looks at Clendinnen's "Ambivalent Conquests" and discusses how the Mayans and other Yucatan natives were strong fighters. It points out however, that it was not only Spanish military conquest, but more importantly other events and interactions that brought about their ultimate downfall.

From the Paper
"To remedy the common exemption of the Yucatan's perspective Inga Clendinnen wrote Ambivalent Conquests. She starts out with the very first encounter between the Spanish and Yucatan natives, which interestingly did not actually occur on Yucatan soil. Actually in the year 1502 A.D. Christopher Columbus came across a floating canoe manned by twenty-five naked people carrying bronze ax heads, cacao beans, pottery and other cargo apparently to trade off the coast of Honduras. Columbus' crew ravaged through the Indians' belongings and took whatever they liked along with an old man who seemed to be the canoe's guide in hopes that he would be a helpful navigator. This was a gentle precursor to the offenses Spanish intruders would later inflict upon the Yucatan's deep cultural heritage."

Tags:conquistadors, ecomiendas, mayan, spanish, yucatan

Abstract
This paper discusses the formation of the first colonial empires, namely those of Spain and Portugal. It then discusses some of the naval expeditions that were organized at the orders of the kings of Spain and Portugal and how these expeditions resulted in significant discoveries on the part of European explorers. The paper aims to illustrate that, although the Spanish colonial empire was very large as far as total surface, it was Portugal that represented the greatest naval power with world-wide long-lasting impact.

From the Paper
"The first global empire in the history of mankind, the Portuguese Empire consisted of a group of territories with distinct geographical and racial features, but unified by the same identity and ideals, by a common language and religion. These territories were Cape Verde, Guinea and Angola in West Africa, S. Thomas and Principe located in the Gulf of Guinea, Mozambique in East Africa, far-off Timor in Indonesia, India and Macau in the China Sea. All these territories made up the same whole, i.e. a political organism. This political organism, consisting of Mother-Country, colonies and adjacent islands - called the Portuguese Nation, was considered unitary and indivisible (Ferreira Mendes: 230) and spanned from the middle of the 15th century until the independence of Macau, the last territory that was still part of the former Portuguese Empire, in 1999."

Tags:territory, colony, empire, navy

Abstract
The Mongolians were a nomadic, Eastern people driven into violence by necessity. Thanks to expert leadership and tactics, they formed the largest land empire in history. This paper illustrates the expansion of the Mongol Empire from 1200 to about 1400 AD. It gives descriptive accounts of crucial events and Mongolian leaders during the Empire's period of exponential growth and development.

From the Paper
"As much as the Mongols benefited from their newly obtained lands in China, they still sought more. Genghis now wanted more goods for his expanded nation, including weapons. In 1218, he sent a Mongol caravan west to the Kwarazmian Empire in Persia to help negotiate trade. In spite of the Mongols' innocuous intentions, the Kwarazmians unexpectedly accused the Mongolians of being spies and murdered the chief of the caravan. The rest were sent back to Mongolia with burnt beards, which caused them unendurable humiliation."

Tags:Genghis, khan, Kwarazmia, Persia

Abstract
An analysis of the leadership of Hernan Cortes and Francisco Pizarro in the 16th century. It describes in detail the conquests, focusing on various regions such as Dona Marina, countryman Geronimo de Aguilar and the Spanish governor of Cuba, Diego Velaquez.

From the Paper
"The Spanish conquest of Mexico started from the year 1519, when the Spanish conqueror Corte's started his battle to conquest the land and to take away the wealth for the Spanish empire. Hernan (also Hernando or Fernando) Cortes was from a family of minor nobility. He gained respect in later years by participating in the conquest of Cuba with Diego Velazquez, the future governor. The army of Hernn Cortes consisted of around 500 Spanish soldiers and sailors, 16 horses and fourteen cannons to terrorize the Mexicans. They were given a war welcome by the native "Totanic" Indians."

Tags:moctezuma, fernando, vera, cruz, christianize, nahuatl, texoco, Hernan, Cortes, Francisco, Pizarro

Abstract
This essay outlines Julius Caesar's conquest of Gaul between 59 and 51 B.C. It outlines major points and battles and, more specifically, centers on how his conquests affected his standing in Rome and his rise to power. The paper also examines Caesar's commentaries on the great battle, "The Conquest of Gaul".

From the Paper
"Instances such as these show Caesar at his finest. With courage and enthusiasm Caesar routinely fought in the front ranks with his troops - leading by example to rally them. They won the battle of Sambre. Out of the force of 60,000 that came against the Romans, only 600 soldiers remained. Furthermore, the Conquest of Gaul not only showed his ability as a leader but also the type of man he was. Caesar was proud to be Roman, and his pride reveals itself in his commentaries. Caesar's commentaries were, in themselves, a reflection of that pride. To Pompey after having his command in Gaul revoked Caesar wrote, ?The glory of Rome has ever been my first object, dearer indeed than life itself.? Rome's will was his ambition."

Tags:Rome, Pompey, Sulla, Marius, Bellovaci

Abstract
This paper outlines the two major views of the history of the founding of America: conquest vs. democracy. Historian Patricia Limerick believes that early American history was dominated by conquest, whereas historian Frederick Jackson Turner believes that early American history was dominated by democracy. This paper discusses the events of the founding of America in detail to examine which is true. It finds that both are correct, since the Spanish conquest of the fifteenth and sixteenth century lead to the beginnings of America; however, it was the beginnings of a democratic government that helped the English establish settlements at the end of the eighteenth century.

From the Paper
"Therefore, with the Native American culture being so different than the Spanish conquistadors and the misguided views about the Native American's timorous ways, it is not difficult to believe that these two clashing cultures resulted in brutal conquest by the more dominant Spanish. However, these points also shed light on Turner's view that the Europeans established America through sheer representative democracy."

Tags:American Colonization, Democracy, Conquest

Abstract
This paper explores the concept of nationalism in England in 1066, English unity, social make-up and the ferocity of their opposition to the invaders. It looks at how the Normans attempted to justify their conquest of England and, in particular, why. It examines how the ?rightful claimant to the throne? needed to put such an emphasis on the justification of the conquest. It looks at how William of Normandy held a strong claim to the English throne and how the Norman use of propaganda and their emphasis on the ?will of God? suggests there was a seed of doubt somewhere in the Norman establishment concerning legitimacy.

From the Paper
"To understand the Norman efforts to justify the conquest it is important to understand the nature of Anglo-Saxon England. How was Duke William of Normandy received? Did he face opposition because he was a foreigner or was it purely political? Anne Williams? provides an insight into English society much earlier than 1066, suggesting that the "emergence of Englishness" began as early as the 7th century . However, such an expression gives little more than a hint as to how developed and patriotic a society England was in the 11th century. The existence of patriotism in England is hard to identify in this period. Overseas invasions were not uncommon and it was only twenty-four years earlier that the Danish dynasty of Cnut had ruled."

Tags:castles, conquest, resistance, unity, william, edward, confessor

Abstract
"Peace Without Conquest" was one of the most significant speeches of the 20th Century. It evoked the passions of Americans all over the country and cemented the nation's commitment to the War in Vietnam. "Peace Without Conquest" is Lyndon Johnson's explanation of the American involvement in the war as a means to bring harmony to the region while avoiding occupation. This paper presents a reaction to the reasons why America engaged in battle in Vietnam. It specifically explores the legitimacy of Johnson's assertions. The writer also explores whether Johnson's assertions were sufficient to justify America's continued involvement. In addition, it considers what reasoning he failed to discuss that would have argued against America's involvement.

From the Paper
"In this statement, Johnson asserts that the ability to exist in a world where nations have the right to dictate their own lives is dependent upon America's willingness to fight for this right. Johnson asserts that the only way to preserve freedom is to use force. This assertion seems accurate there is a price to be paid for freedom. In addition, the argument that American freedom is only truly secure when other countries are also allowed to be free is also legitimate. History has proven that humanity is a continuum and that "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere". In this section of Johnson's speech it is clear that the war in Vietnam is viewed as a necessary agent. Johnson asserts that in some cases force must precede reason it is obvious that he believes that the war in Vietnam is one of those cases. The point that he makes in this section of the speech is legitimate and justifies our involvement in the war."

Tags:war

Abstract
The author of this paper uses an original style to produce this essay which brings across the story of Spaniard Hernan Cortez's conquest of Mexico and the local Aztecs with which he fought. By conducting an 'interview' with the Chronicler Juan de Pomar and Hernan Cortez and writing an article about Cortez's success in the Mexican conquest, the paper gives an overall picture of the events of the 1519 era and the culture of the Aztec people.

From the Paper
"Montecuhzoma allowed Cortez and his men into Tenochtitlan, which was not his normal policy of caution. Great diplomatic overtures were made on both sides, and at first the two warring parties almost seemed as though they might find peace.
Unfortunately that was not to be. The Spaniards were coarse, ignorant of local customs, and rude. They cared little for protocols and pleasantries. In the end, this disregard for the Aztec culture may have been what created their successful attacks and eventual takeover of Tenochtitlan- while the Aztecs were sacrificing warriors to their gods during battle, the Spaniards were killing them off in large numbers."

Tags:Terzcoco, Tabasco, Coast, Port, of, Potonchian, Malintzin, South, American, history