Hispanic (Spanish and Portugese) Civilization History Has

Hispanic (Spanish and Portugese) Civilization History has proven that, regardless of the way in which civilization managed to overcome centuries of historical practices, there is a certain foundation in terms of defining elements that characterize the different cultures. The simple split between the European and the African cultures is relevant in this sense.

Despite the fact that it is the European force that created Africa as it looks today, with origins in the French, the British or the Italian and German cultures, there is a clear distinction between the European in France and the European in Morocco for instance. Yet, a great number of cultural aspects are somewhat common and defined the perspective of French Africa as opposed to British Africa. The same applies in the case of the Hispanic culture.

There are common elements that define Hispanic nations, despite differences in culture and history. Yet, to this day, the Spanish Empire of Isabel de Aragon started a cultural sense of belonging that would eventually pull together what is nowadays known as Hispanics culture. The term in itself is relevant to define aspects related to culture, history, economy, related to Spain and/or Portugal.

As an adjacent definition of what Hispanic means, the term Hispanic-Americans, according to the Department of Transportation "includes persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, Central or South American, or other Spanish or Portuguese culture or origin, regardless of race" (Dept. Of Transportation, 2013) Therefore, the term is generally used to provide a definition to groups that are somewhat and somehow related to the 15th century Spain and Portugal whose historical conquest led to the establishment of a Latin dominated South America and South of Europe.

The word "Hispanic" is a relevant unifying term for the citizens of twenty-one modern nations particularly because it reflects a historical background that Spain and Portugal provided to Latin America in particular. This research argues that the way in which the conquest of Latin America was conducted, from Isabel of Aragon to Hernan Cortes influenced the character of these countries in a decisive manner and provided the necessary cultural linkages to allow a term such as Hispanic define them.

Throughout the history of Latin America, there were certain defining elements that were common for most of the countries, from Ecuador to Cuba and to Venezuela. These common elements that include religion, politics, social, are representative for the legacy the Spanish and the Portuguese provided to the territories they conquered. In order to better visualize the relationship between Latin America and their Hispanic background, the historical part of the conquest of these countries is crucial.

It reveals the means through which these countries were subdued by the Spanish or the Portuguese in the 15th century and, at the same time, it points out recurrent elements that are visible to this day in the history of Hispanic countries. Furthermore, the analysis of the way in which Spain and Portugal conquered Mexico or Cuba also points out the legacies that the Iberian conquerors left in Latin America. The era of new geographical discoveries represented a huge step in the development and evolution of civilization.

The 15th century marked not only the start of the geographical explorations but also the desire of the human kind to expand. The European continent was at that point the only known territory and the cradle of civilization. This place however was dominated by several powers, between which Portugal and subsequently Spain.

The discovery of the American continent, of the Indian subcontinent as well as other places around the world determined an evolution in terms of civilization, religion beliefs, but most importantly the beginning of a new economic system, based on raw materials, which would be imported from the colonies. An important aspect to be taken into account is however the fact that Spain, before the 15th century, had been the scene of several dominations including that of the Arabs in the 8th century (The Emirate of Cordoba, p91-2).

An example in this sense is the transformation of Cordoba in a caliphate that, to a certain extent, diluted the Catholic nature of the country and provided the region with a sense of Oriental considerations. At the same time though, the influence of the Arabs was not exported during the era of the great geographical discoveries. This time represented the certification of the imperial colonial system. These political systems were synonymous with wealth, power, recognition, and most importantly influence.

Despite the fact that at that time the world revolved around Europe, the first powers to construct empires were at different points in time the wealthiest and most feared political structures. The first colonial powers, the Dutch, the Portuguese, and the Spanish had been influenced in their conquests by the power of their fleets and the disposition of their kings. In this sense, it was for this reason the Christopher Columbus would eventually discover America and Cortez would eventually rule in Mexico.

For the purpose of this research, it must be underlined that the uniqueness of the Latin America conquest lies precisely in the way this conquest was conducted and the cultural and human differences that this process revealed. One of the most important actions undergone in this time is indeed Hernand Cortes's confrontation in Mexico. His expedition represents a flagship for the way in which Latin America would be conquered and Spanish and Portuguese legacies identified.

It is not so much for the example it offers of the techniques used by the conquistadores, but rather for the clash of civilizations and perceptions his endeavor pointed out. First and foremost, the aim of Cortes's endeavor is important for placing the fact in a historical background. The time was greatly influenced by the need for expansion on the one hand, and the need for natural resources on the other (Berstein and Milza, 1994). More precisely, it was an increased competition between the different colonial systems.

It must be underlined that both Spain and Portugal are part of the Hispanic world and were and are bearers of Hispanic culture and civilization. During the 15th century, in Europe there was the Portuguese system with a particular type of colonial practices, which were imposed in Brazil, for instance. In competition, the Spanish desires to achieve supremacy and to establish their language and religion in as many new territories as possible led it to the establishment of a different type of colonial exploitation.

This was largely due to the fact that the main goal of the Spanish crown, especially following the death of Isabella and Ferdinand de Aragon who had long struggled to achieve European supremacy, was the creation of a Spanish speaking empire, based on the catholic rite. (Berstein and Milza, 1994). Therefore, their followers tried to keep the same political line as their predecessors. The discovery of Cuba and then of the Mexican state enabled the Spaniards to increase their experience in conquests and thus to establish a truly colonial empire (Prescott, 1891).

From this point-of-view, it must be underlined that one of the most important legacies and one of the essential traits of the Hispanic world is the language. Indeed, the practice of ensuring that the language of the conqueror is forced upon the locals was not new and was not invented by Spain or Portugal. It had been a common practice since the first empires, the Roman and the Greek, in Ancient times.

This is the reason why parts of Eastern Europe have a Latin-based language -- Romanian -- which is in the same family of Latin languages. A similar example is that of Great Britain and its Empire together with the most representative colony, India. In strict relation with the language issue is also the attempt to dominate the cultural life -- although it is rather difficult to talk about an actual cultural life in the 15th century Latin America.

For instance, Admiral Colon in 1492-4 aimed to take control of as much land and territory as possible by simply naming those territories different names than theirs.

More precisely, "the process of bestowing new names went along with 'taking possession of' those parts of the world he deemed suitable for Spanish ownership, showing the royal banners, erecting various crosses and pronouncing certain oaths and pledges" (Chapter 5, p91) A second aspect to be taken into account in defining common ground for all countries of Hispanic origin is the imposition of the Catholic Church as the supreme religious instance.

The Reformation of the Catholic Church played an immense part in the Spanish Crown's desire to further its discoveries in the world. They considered these expeditions as being useful tools in promoting the Catholic religion in the world or at least in the known places of the world. A clear example that the Spaniards provided religion as a common element for the conquered territories thus aligning colonies and offering them connecting elements was the Catholic nature of the Hispanic countries, which is kept to this day.

An important element to be taken into account is the actual reactions that occurred when two different civilizations met, in rather hostile circumstances, each of them having their own perception of the other. The example of the Spanish conquest of Mexico became relevant for the study of cultural clashes. The initial plan of Cortes' expedition was to establish relations with the indigenous people, the Aztec empire, one of the most important representative symbols of ancient civilization.

In this sense, "The first contact with Mexico occurred in 1517, when explorer Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba landed on the Yucatan coast. (…) The Spanish governor of Cuba, Diego Velazquez, then sent a larger force under Hernand Cortez, with instructions to trade with the inhabitants. Cortez had more ambitious plans, however, and after landing on the coast of Veracruz, in 1521, made his way to Tenochtitlan, (today, ruins of the Templo Mayor archaeology site) the centre of power of the Aztec empire, which was built in the middle of a lake.

Using a mixture of terror and persuasion, Cortez gained allies during his march toward Tenochtitlan. Montezuma received the Spanish with honors, fearing that they may be gods, according to an ancient prophecy" (Mexico E-magazine, 2008). This was the first encounter with the indigenous people, one that would mark their entire relationship. A similar issue took place even with Admiral Colon's arrival in the Americas. According to his accounts, the natives he encountered "seemed to me that they had no religion.

Our Lord pleasing, I will carry off six of them at my departure to Your Highnesses in order that they may learn to speak" (Conquest of Paradise, p97). Even in this case, the difference in perception, civilization, and approach is visible.

The Spanish were the representatives of a civilized world, with certain norms and values, although their behavior proved to be worth of savagism; by comparison, the Aztec empire, although they were one of the most advanced peoples of the region with a culture worthy of consideration, they were still indigenous people, with little knowledge of the nature of the civilized human. On the other hand, there is a clear distinction between the images each of the two sides had of the other.

In other words, analysts consider that this is the moment in which the difference between civilizations was obvious. While the Aztecs expected to see a god like creature, and treated Cortez accordingly, the Spanish treated them with cruelty out of the belief that the tribes were an inferior type of people (Berstein and Milza, 1994). There was also a clash of systems of values that led to the violent relationship between the two sides.

On the one hand, the Aztecs built their lives on the religious aspect of their existence, thus trusting ancient prophecies to come true; on the other hand, the Spanish although they had an important religious component in their behavior, lived their lives and conducted their affairs according to the financial interest, and not the moral aspects of their existence. These two perspectives on life created an increases sense of tension and animosity which would eventually lead to violent and destructive clashes.

This rather important difference between the two sides is also obvious through the way in which the Spanish society, inside the Aztec space, was organized. This was due to the fact that "By conquering lands with different people, cultures, flora, fauna, and climates, the Spaniards were forced to determine which elements of their culture they considered absolutely essential to the maintenance of their "Spanishness" (Alves, 1996). In this sense, they tried to reproduce the sense of Spain on this territory.

The conquistadores, the ones that emerged triumphantly from the clashes with the Aztecs began to behave similar to the landowners in Spain and encourage a sort of slave work whose victims were the indigenous people (Berstein and Milza, 1994). In the beginning, the Aztecs were not aware of such practices and obeyed. However, in time, they rebelled and constant clashes marked their relation.

The idea of slavery was in fact part of the colonial system practiced by Spain, which was, in a lot of respects, different than that of the Portuguese for instance. In this respect, it can be said that the Spaniards' main aim was to develop inland affairs as well, not only activities along the coastline as the practice of the Brazilian conquest had shown. This approach offered the Spanish colonial power an increased amount of money, but at the same time more trouble concerning the conflicts with the indigenous people.

The issue of slavery was a vital element in the way in which the Hispanic society and cultural behavior would evolve. In most Latin American societies, the discrepancies between the rich and the poor are extraordinary. A relevant case in this sense is that of Brazil where these discrepancies are seen from one side of the city to another. This difference in standard of living can also be justified through the particular perspective of landowners and slaves, rich and poor.

Even in Cuba, some of the most important families in the country still practice the use of servants and helpers around the house. This is not to say that this practice is particular to Hispanic countries, but rather that in Latin America in particular, the use of servants is still.