In the late 1400s, the known European world began making contact with an unknown new world. This contact was the result of misdirection on the part of the explorers, but it would become a lasting contact that would initiate “an intense process of exploration, conquest, and acculturation” (1492 exhibit introduction) that would continue onward until the present day.
Exploration of the New World began as a desire by European countries to seek out new avenues of gaining wealth and territory. Although there had been explorations conducted in the early 1400s, it was the exploration by Christopher Columbus in 1492 that would remain engraved in history. The journal except concerning Columbus is very detailed, revealing an air of ignorance on the part of Columbus and his men
. It is clear that Columbus’ goal was to claim territory for Spain, but the traditional belief that he and his men just overtook the islands by force is somewhat exaggerated. Columbus seems to have had some respect for the natives, even if he felt they were a bit primitive and needed to be converted to the true faith of Christianity: “….It appears to me, that the people are ingenious, and would be good servants and I am of opinion that they would very readily become Christians, as they appear to have no religion.” (Columbus)
Hernán Cortés’ letter to King Philip contains the same level of respect, and in this instance, amazement at how structured the society of the Aztecs in Mexico truly was. His letter gives an extremely detailed account of the architecture of the Aztec cities, as well as the structure and pageantry involved in the daily life of their ruler, Montezuma. He also discusses the religious practices of the Aztecs, one of which is human sacrifice.
The Term Paper on Worldmaking Worldcentering World Aztec Culture
Mysteries of the Aztec and Maya Explained Multiple gods, gory sacrifices, and men in funny clothes. No, this is not the Middle East, this is sixteenth century Mesoamerica. These were just a few of the aspects of Mesoamerican culture that the Spanish encountered when they landed in the New World. To them, the things they saw were uncivilized, even barbaric. So, naturally, the Spanish had to take ...
In this, Cortés is quick to state how barbaric this practice is. Yet, he also demonstrates the same respect for the natives seen in Columbus’ letter: “…I will say no more than that the manners of the people, as shown in their intercourse with one another, are marked by as great an attention to the proprieties of life as in Spain, and good order is equally well observed; and considering that they are barbarous people, without the knowledge of God, having no intercourse with civilized nations, these traits of character are worthy of admiration.” (Cortés)
The positive and respectful tone of the readings vastly changes with the letter written from Lope de Aguirre to King Philip of Spain. His letter is filled with anger and outrage concerning the treatment of the conquistadors that fought and conquered the lands in the New World. Aguirre definitively states that the credit is not being given to those who deserve: the soldiers who did the actual fighting to gain the territories that Spain now views as its colonies. There is a frequent mention of faith and Christianity within the letter, and he goes so far as to say that “God is the same for all.” (Aguirre)
This is interesting, considering that at the time the letter was written, the Protestant faith had taken hold and many did not understand that the same God Catholics worshiped was the same God Protestants worshiped. Thus, this particular letter shows the hypocrisy that was rampant concerning the issue of religion, as well as the classic battle between the haves and have-nots.
Bartolomé Las Casas, a Spanish missionary on the island of Hispaniola, reverts back to the glowing report concerning the natives. In his words, the natives are without “malice or duplicity, most obedient, most faithful to their natural Lords, and to the Christians, whom they serve; the most humble, most patient, most peaceful and calm, without strife nor tumults; …as free from uproar, hate and desire of revenge as any in the world…” (Las Casas) Again, there is a clear level of respect for them, despite the belief of those who ‘conquered’ the New World that its native inhabitants were a bit barbaric.
The Essay on Scarlet Letter God Dimmesdale Puritan
The Puritan Beliefs As Told Through The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne was not a Puritan. But Hawthrone's forefathers were Puritans, so he had an understanding of their belief system and their basis behind it. He stated that he hoped the sins of his forefathers had been forgiven. Hoping to expose those ideas which he understood, yet despised, Hawthorne purposely presented many important ...
However, in direct contrast to this positive description of the natives, Las Casas provides a harsh critique of the Spaniards. He describes them as being violent and murderous, which to a certain extent, is true. Yet, this information would have been overlooked by Spain, as the murders and violence would have presented as a way of civilizing the natives.
The excerpt concerning the Inquisition in 17th century Peru, as well as in Portugal, is quite graphic. It continues along with the previous theme in Las Casas’ excerpt concerning the violent nature of the Spaniards. The Inquisition was devised as a way of rooting out heresy, using barbaric and torturous methods to do so. The ultimate goal was to create a society in which the people only worshiped as Catholics of the Holy Roman Catholic Church.
Thus, beatings, torture, and murders were all committed in the name of God, and with the express approval of the Pope. Lea’s account of what happened to the Portuguese Judaizers clearly demonstrated the misguided efforts of the conquistadors to civilize the Judaizers. Unlike Columbus, who wanted to convert the natives without force, the Spaniards felt force was the only way to accomplish conversion.
The two remaining documents provide accounts of conquest, one from the point of view of the conquered and the other from the point of view of a conquistador. The first is an Aztec account of the conquering of Mexico, which was done by Hernán Cortés. Upon his arrival, he was thought to be an Aztec god, and he used this to his advantage. While the Aztecs received him with great joy and warmth, he returned their enthusiasm and hospitality by murdering a great majority of them.
Those who did not die were made to be servants and laborers. Furthermore, all the jewels and treasures of the Aztecs were taken as booty by the Spanish. When taken to Spain, it proved the theory that gold and riches were to be found in the New World, resulting in more voyages being made there.
The second account is told from the viewpoint of a conquistador who helped conquer the Incan Empire. His account provides a detailed analysis of the economic structure of Inca society. There is an air of surprise in the letter, as if it was inconceivable for anyone other than the civilized peoples of Europe could fashion such an elaborate economy. Beneath that surprise is also a grudging respect. Again, though the natives may be heathens, they are intelligent heathens, and intelligence is always worthy of respect.
The Essay on A World Unknown my Trip To Europe
Ever since I was a little girl I dreamed about traveling overseas. Strange lands, exciting places, and new cultures have always fascinated me. I've always wondered what it would be like to speak another language, to grow up learning different customs, or to live in a completely different way than I do now. This past summer my dream finally came true. I got to travel to England, France, ...
Along with the various documents previously discussed are four maps that demonstrate how Europeans viewed the world. The first map presents the early notion that the earth was flat. Unlike later maps, which are drawn in global shapes, this map shows a flat world. Furthermore, Europe is positioned in the very center of the map, as if to say that it is the center of all civilization. The positioning of the various continents is incorrect, and other continents such as Greenland, Antarctica, and Iceland are not depicted. The artwork surrounding the map suggests that the world was made, and is controlled by, mythical gods.
The next map steps away from that notion, as there is no artwork showing any mythical creatures surrounding it. This map seems to be one representing the New World, and once again, there are inaccuracies. On the one hand, islands such as Cuba, Hispaniola, and the Caribbean seem to be in their correct locations.
However, in the upper left-hand corner of the map, the continent of India is positioned as if it just across the ocean from America. This is clearly not the case, but at the time, that was the universal belief. It was that misconception that led to Columbus calling the Caribbean Islands the Indies. He felt he had reached the Spice Islands of India, when in fact he had ‘discovered’ an entirely new world.
The third map is a bit more accurate in terms of identifying the various continents of the world. However, the continent of North America seems to be much bigger than it actually was. This is due to the fact that what is today Canada is also included as part on the continent. It had yet to be distinguished from North America. This would happen much later. The most promising aspect of this third map, however, is the shape in which it was drawn. Rather than a flat drawing, it is now in the global shape, thus demonstrating that the notion of the world being flat is no longer universally accepted.
The final map is the most accurate of the four, depicting all the continents known at that time. Again, the drawing is done in a global shape; moreover, it shows that the European concept that Europe was the center of the world is no longer officially held. While many felt it to be the most civilized part of the world, there was now the realization that there were other cultures and societies that were just as structured as that of Europe. Clearly, there is a greater understanding that there is much more to the world than Europe.
The Term Paper on World Systems System Wallerstein Europe
INTRODUCTION TO TRANSITIONS AND MODES IN THE WORLD SYSTEM The present "transition from socialism to capitalism" and the possible future " shift of hegemony from the United States to Japan" are occasion to re-examine several scientific tenants of our politics and political tenants of our social science. Among these are 1) the "transition from feudalism to capitalism," 2) the "transition from ...
In the end, the early conquests of the New World were pivotal moments in world history. On one hand, many of the conquests in the New World were accomplished through force and led to the death of millions of native Indians – either through violence or disease. On the other hand, the simple navigational mistake made by Columbus resulted in the interaction of different cultures, which in turn to the emergence of a rich, vibrant, diverse culture that was initially unique to North and South America, and is now seen throughout the rest of the world. This is the legacy of the voyage of 1492.
