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Spanish Conquests of Inca and Aztec Empires
The Spaniard's conquest of Inca and Aztec Empires are two of the most important chapters regarding the history of colonization in Americas. After Christopher Columbus had discovered America in 1492, he was able to convince the European traders to see America as a land of great opportunity. Even though there were other European countries like France, England and Italy who were setting up colonies in the new world, Spaniards were initially the most successful of them all and the reason of it was Spanish was already able to gain of Control of Cuba which served as its base from where military activities were handled something which was not enjoyed by the colonies set in North Section of Americas where Dutch, French, Italian and English were continuously fighting to save established colonies from each other.
The Cuban governor Diego Velazquez de Cuellar, sent an expedition to explore three ships to explore the Yucatan Peninsula under the leadership of Hernandez de Cordoba. This expedition was unsuccessful as the Spaniards who had conquered Cuba were not successful and then the governor Cuellar sent another expedition which indeed was quite successful in its expedition of Yucatan Peninsula. There were...
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The conquest of Aztec Empire started in 1519 (Williamson, 1993), the people of Aztec who spoke Nahutal language were quite superstitious in their way of life; Brian Diaz in "The Truthful History of the Conquest of New Spain" writes that there were at least 8 omens which happened prior to the conquest Spaniards after which the people of Aztec knew that an invading force will attack them sooner or later. Although there have been historian who disowned the case of 8 omens nonetheless there are still who are quite convinced about such omens occurring, considering there were no contacts with that part of the land to either assume it to be true or consider it to be false.
The conquest of Inca Empire started in 1527; (Williamson, 1993) the reason for its triumph lies in the successful collaboration of conquistadores and their native allies. Prior to the invasion there was a civil war that had already destroyed the Inca Empire and the wrath of this civil war helped the Spaniards to easily take control of the Inca Empire. Spain used classical war doctrines of annihilation and…
Bibliography
Conquistadors. Directed & Narrated by Michael Wood. 2002.
Williamson, Edwin. History of Latin America. Paperbacked. New York: Penguin Publishers Ltd., 1993.
In fact, despite the letter from Fra Motolina, the encomienda system may have been slowed down, but it was not eradicated. The actual plight of the Indian populations was not improved, and the manner in which the Spaniards continued to view the populations and their conditions, based typically on economic class and what those in question could offer, remained quite imperialistic. In 1560, the Council of Huejotzingo wrote to King
Aztec Empire The Aztecs, who referred to themselves as Mexica, were a powerful tribe of people speaking the Nahuatl language. They founded one of the biggest empires in Central America which is believed to have lasted from the 1300s to the 1500s. One of the most renowned cities of the Aztec empire was Tenochtitlan; this city was located in the middle of a lake where the present-day capital of Mexico, Mexico
Four years later a vast Incan army rises up in revolt and attempt to overthrow the Spanish. It is probably this rebellion that resulted in the mass burials that were uncovered. It seems that despite the overwhelming odds, the Spanish hacked its way through the troops by using steel and horses to kill the Incan general. New forensics, though, give a different view of the battle. It seems that most
The nine day festival approaching in late June is intended to honor Inti, the Sun God. The festival's importance is found not just in its explicit celebrations of the harvest, the winter solstice and the deity connected with the warmth, heat and sustenance of the sun but additionally in its demonstration of the ancient cultural heritage of Peru. Indeed, most especially in the time of the Incan kingdom's rule,
Mann challenges the belief that superior weaponry was the main factor in the Inca loss to the Spanish. Give two examples of Inca weaponry or strategy that was viable in warfare against the Spanish. 1) Huge roadway system connecting all parts of the Incan Empire; 2) Versatility and ability to fight at high altitudes; 3) Overwhelming population; 4)Large stone fortifications; 5) No gunpowder, but an abundance of weapon: clubs, spears,
Family ties enabled him to straddle both worlds. Led his army in support of the British; remembered for atrocities his army supposedly committed and his attempts to keep tribal lands. Wampum Belt: Wampum=certain sea shells. Used for trade, but not exactly currency. Different colored shells valued differently. Wampum belts were woven to commemorate special occasions/given as gifts. Also used a sort of writing/memory. Hurons: Also called "Wendat." Occupied Ontario area. Iroquoian