Abstract This paper examines Fernando Cortes' life, explorations and findings. It details his history dating back from his childhood to his voyages through the America?s. The author feels that Cortes's legacy to the new world was a mixed one. This essay comments on why.
From the paper:
?The first ship that Cortes sent back to Spain contained two large wheels, one fashioned of gold and the other of silver, gold jewelry, and a variety of other items embellished with gold, pearls, and precious jewels. While Cortes had stated that he was giving up his share of the gold to the Spanish government, there was a large parcel of it sent to his father.?
Abstract This paper explains that Hugh Thomas, in his book "Conquest: Montezuma, Cortes and the Fall of Old Mexico", understood that the story of the Aztecs and their conquest by the remarkable strangers who came from beyond the sea has hypnotic powers; therefore, he provides a vivid recounting, never allowing the main elements of the story to be overwhelmed by his exhaustive research, cautiously balancing the rival interpretations and the viewpoint of modern moralists. The author points out that Thomas sees the Spanish from the Aztec's perspective as greedy, cruel and stinking in every respect. The paper describes that Aztecs as people who believed themselves to be the chosen people among the other tribes in Mexico and whose religion demanded mass human sacrifices. Long quotations.
From the Paper "Thomas does not lapse into amorality, but he does not allow a single doubt that both the Aztecs and their Spanish conquerors were morally vile beyond all human conception. He doesn't waste time trying to plead a case for relativity for any of them. He manages, somehow, to display whatever was brave, beautiful or curious about them. After the Emperor Montezuma was taken into custody by the Spanish, Thomas writes that the captive "continued to seem to rule.""
Abstract This paper explores two perceptions of the early exploration of Mexico by the texts of two noted explorers, Hernan Cortes and Bernal Diaz del Castillo. In particular, two works are noted as being representative of the texts of that era, being Cortes' "Letters from Mexico" and del Castillo's "The True History of the Conquering of New Spain". This paper focuses primarily on these two sources, although other sources are used.
This paper analyzes both conquests in detail, finding what both generals had in common -- that they took the advantage of the internal conflicts between the natives of the respective lands and used it to make their allies.
1,605 words (approx. 6.4 pages), 0 sources, 2002, $ 52.95
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 Hern?n 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."
Abstract This paper is an analysis of the book "Success in Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises", a report written by Cortes, Berry, and Ishaq on a research project undertaken and published by the World Bank. The paper discusses the main findings of the study, which set out to explain the escalated growth of selected businesses, in comparison to large industries, during the 1970s in Colombia.
From the Paper "Cortes, Berry, and Ishaq in "Success in Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises" set out to explain the escalated growth of these businesses, in comparison to large industries, during the 1970s in Colombia. This book is a report on a research project undertaken and published by the World Bank. The data used in the study are mainly based on surveys of the metal-working and food processing industries. Determinants of efficiency in these industries are examined, along with determinants of viability. Patterns and trends in firm size and distribution are explained by technological factors, demand factors, input supply factors, and constraints on the rate of exchange of output.
A paper which discusses the Mexican women who became lovers to the Spaniards during Spain's conquest of Mexico, and how they are portrayed in Mexico's cultural history.
Abstract Using as a background Bernal Diaz del Castillo's book "Historia de Conquista de la Nueva Espa?a", written about the Spanish conquest of Mexico in the sixteenth century, the paper discusses the Indian women who were lovers to these Spaniards, the most famous being La Malinche, lover to Hernan Cortes himself. The paper uses the character of Maria - lover of one of Cortes' officers - to show the history of these women and what drove them to so-call betray their people by 'sleeping with the enemy'. The paper shows how La Malinche (and others) have been portrayed in Mexican cultural history as mothers of the mestizo - children of mixed Spanish and Indian race. The paper discusses too how public opinion of La Malinche has changed during recent years, mostly due to the influence of feminist movements, who see her as a symbol of the endurance of the Mexican people.
From the Paper "But there is another element to the original and long-enduring disregard and even hatred that has been cast upon La Malinche, and the other women who (like the Maria of our story) shared similar structural positions. Women who produced Mexican ? mestizo ? children have been hated by many Mexicans until the most recent generation not because of their betrayal of the Aztecs but because of their engendering of the entire race of Mexicans. It is because Mexicans have for so long hated themselves, hated their own mixed heritage, that they hate La Malinche and other women like her. It is only when Mexicans come to peace with their own mestizo heritage that they can possibly come to terms with La Malinche and revere her as the founder of the race. It seems fairly certain that she was indeed Cortes's lover ? but also that she was faithful to him. This should hardly brand her as a whore."
Tags: Tabasco, Aztecs, Martin, de, Hernandez, y, Gomez, Tlaxcala, South, American, history
Abstract This paper examines Hernand Cortes' confrontation in what is now called Mexico. It discusses the historical background to the confrontation and Cortes' aims and goals in the area. It looks specifically at the religious, political and economic goals related to the expedition to Mexico. The paper then looks at how the approach taken by the Spanish tried to be different than the one envisaged by the Portuguese in their expeditionary attempts.
From the Paper "There are different things the Spanish tried to achieve by conquering what is now Mexico. There were religious aims, political ones, and also economic goals related to the expedition to Mexico. However, the approach taken by the Spanish tried to be different than the one envisaged by the Portuguese in their expeditionary attempts. Unlike the Portuguese, Spain's main goal was to establish an entity based precisely on their own beliefs and customs thus create a new society. The Portuguese on the other hand, limited their action to the mere exploitation of the territories they discovered."
This essay is a critique of the book "The Broken Spears: The Aztec Account of the Conquest of America", edited by Miguel Leon-Portilla; showing its unique manner in relating historical events.
Abstract This paper presents a critique of this book which tells the Aztec peoples? account of the Spanish conquest of Mexico. The paper examines the way in which, throughout history, the conquest has been told from the viewpoint of the conquistadors ?- the Spanish victors. "The Broken Spears" was the first book to tell the story of the conquest from the Aztecs? perspective. The writer shows the difference between "The Broken Spears" and other history accounts whereby this book is not about historical data gathering but, rather, is of the storytelling and human emotion behind the Spanish conquest.
From the Paper "Hernando Cortes? army arrived in Mexico in the early 16th century and defeated the Mexicans in relatively short order.
Cortes had originally been sent to Mexico by the Cuban governor to search for gold, but when he was asked to withdraw and return to Havana, he gathered 11 ships and 600 troops and made his way to Mexico.
"Previous Spanish expeditions had been sent to Mexico as early as 1517, but Cortes was a very powerful, persuasive leader and was able to rally the troops, so to speak. Also, the Indians turned out to be very susceptible to the Spaniards? superior weapons, as well as the new European viruses such as smallpox, chicken-pox, and measles. Of crucial importance was the Aztec leader's (Moctezuma) indecisiveness about Cortes? motives and confusion as to whether Cortes? arrival was a spiritual arrival or a spiritual sign ? a major mistake. Finally, the Mexican Indians were internally divided and there was much internal resentment about the Aztec domination in Mexico. Therefore, the Tlaxcaltecs and others ? the Aztecs? enemies ? became the Spaniards? allies."
From the Paper "La Malinche (circa 1502-153?) is one of the two central female figures in Mexico's historical iconography - the other woman is Our Lady of Guadalupe, a somewhat more-than-human competitor for the honor (Gonzales 229). La Malinche holds her own against the Blessed Virgin as a mythic figure in Mexican history, however. She was, factually, the translator/cultural interpreter who crucially aided Hern?n Cort's in his conquest of the Aztec Empire. As his mistress during that time, bearing him a son, La Malinche was also one of the most visible progenitors of the Mestizo - the race of mixed-blood Spanish-Indians who represent the core of Mexican society. Since the wars for independence from Spain and, later, France, La Malinche has been vilified by the epithet "malinchist," a derogatory term used to signify one contaminated by foreign influences - for she is..."
From the Paper "Bernal Diaz, in The Conquest of New Spain, tells the story of the conquering of Mexico by the Spaniards under Hernan Cortes. The book is more than merely about Cortes, although he is certainly the center of the book. Diaz accompanied Cortes on his exploits and offers a thoroughly positive view of the Spanish conqueror and of the entire Spanish enterprise in the Mexico. As translator J.M. Cohen writes in his Introduction, Diaz's book is a report on the overthrow of a great empire by a company of adventurers, inspired partly by a sense of mission and partly by a crude greed for gold. Their success, even their survival, could in his belief be accounted for only by the miraculous intervention of God and the Saints, who wished New Spain to be added to the realm of Christ and the Emperor ..."
This paper discusses the destruction of the Aztec Empire the advanced Mexican civilization, by the 16th Century Spanish invaders: Cortes, Spaniards' needs and aims, depopulation of Indians and Montezuma.
2,475 words (approx. 9.9 pages), 5 sources, 1985, $ 87.95
From the Paper "The period of exploration of the New World was also a period of exploitation as European adventurers and armies encountered the native population and took advantage of that population, robbing the civilizations found here and decimating the population. The Aztecs had a mighty civilization in the New World that was destroyed by the Conquistadors in the name of greed and Christianity. The Aztecs were regarded as uncivilized heathens, and their lands were taken from them, their goods were stolen, and their leaders murdered.
Aztec civilization--and it was indeed a civilization--created its most extraordinary achievements in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. It received a sudden and painful defeat at the hands of the Spanish army in 1519-1521. Aztec civilization flourished in the Valley of Mexico, a tiny area in comparison with the total ... "
From the Paper "Dona Marina
Dona Marina, the famous mistress and interpreter of Cortes, was born to her father and mother, two rich and powerful chiefs and Caciques of a town called Paynala in the province of Coatzacualco on the southeastern border of the Mexican empire. Paynala had other towns subject to it and stood about eight leagues from the town of Coatzacoalcos in Mexico. It is the purpose of this paper to summarize the events in the life of Dona Marina and to interpret how the lives of Mexican women have been affected by her position in the history of Mexico.
Dona Marina's father died when she was still a small child, and her mother remarried another Cacique, a young man, and bore this man a son. The mother and stepfather had great affection for the little son, and it was agreed between them that he should.."
Abstract The paper discusses Spain and Japan - two countries that have been greatly influenced by the West, both politically and culturally, yet, each has held onto its basic individual tradition and ethnicity. The paper shows that while Spain has historically been ruled by a monarchy, Japan's rulers have been emperors. It examines how, since the middle of the last century, Western politics has helped redefine government, as modern technology reshaped the economy and lifestyle.
From the Paper "Although, Japan and Spain rest on different continents, they do share many similarities. Both welcomed the influence of Western culture, however, Japan, appeared more accepting and eager earlier than Spain. Both countries are rich in tradition and culture and have kept their heritage alive while embracing Western thought and ideologies. Spain seems to have lost years under General Franco's dictatorship regarding technology and modernization while Japan thrived in modernization early on under Emperor Meiji. Both societies are proud people with a rich and nurturing history and tradition."
Tags: Civil, War, Franco, Cortes, Popular, Party, bullfighting, Hirohito, Constitution
Abstract This paper presents a summary of the experiences of Alvar Nez Cabeza de Vaca when he came to North America to seek his fortune. It then discusses the transformation of character Cabeza de Vaca undergoes as he spends more and more time with the Native Americans and comes to see them as human beings with value, rather than just uncivilized natives. Cabeza de Vaca's enlightenment is contrasted with the behavior of Hernan Cortes, another Spanish explorer, whose only interest in the Mexican natives, if he was not killing them, was how they could help him further his own ends.
From the Paper "It is not only the story that we tell that matters but also the way in which we tell it, as we learn from Cabeza de Vaca's Castaways, which was his telling of the 1528-1536 exploration of North America by Europeans. Alvar Nez Cabeza de Vaca had come to the new world to seek his fortune; what he found was far more valuable than the gold that inspired so many Spaniards to come to the New World: Enlightenment. As treasurer of Spanish expedition determined to claim for the throne of Spain a vast tract of land that today spreads across Florida, Louisiana, and Texas, he went with no intent of acknowledging the claims of the indigenous peoples to their land or their wealth. But when he and a few other men were shipwrecked and, seeking their own survival, underwent a long and arduous journey westward, where they would meet up with Hernan Cortes."
Abstract The question is sometimes asked whether or not the Incas were conquered and colonized, or whether they voluntarily became part of the Spanish society. This paper argues that, once one studies the history of the Incas and their desire for power, one will be convinced that the Incas were conquered, as they would never have given up voluntarily to the Spanish.
From the Paper "The fact that the Incas were a power hungry people and a powerful regime before the invasion of the Spaniards is proof of the fact that they were conquered and later colonized. The fact that the Incas took over more land and people than anyone ever had in the history of South America lends credibility to the idea that the only way the Spanish won them over was by force. If one studies the Inca cultures and traditions one can easily see that there was only one way for the Spanish to gain power over them, and it was by force."
