US History

U.S. History Study Guide

©2018 of 194 2.6 The Spanish Conquistadors The Conquistadors, who were mostly poor nobles from Spain, traveled to the Americas with ideas of God, Gold, and Glory. Spreading Catholicism and plundering for gold inspired thousands of Spaniards to make this journey. The Spaniards had the belief that the natives of the New World did not have to be treated with the typical rules of war or even as human beings. Since the natives were not Christian, the Spaniards would do anything they could, no matter how vicious or cruel, to gain an empire. Despite the fact many natives eventually converted, the Spaniards did not leave them to have peace; their cruelty is legendary. Other European nations would use propaganda known as "the Black Legend", which spoke of the cruelty, and gave them the cause to "save the natives". In truth, the other Europeans arrived and did much of the same colonizing and plundering. Although outnumbered and in a foreign land, the conquistadors were successful because of better military technology, the germs within their body, and the alliances of other smaller native tribes. 2.7 Conquistadors take the New World Upon arrival the natives felt the Spaniards were gods. The Spaniards pale skin, beards, metal armor, which looked like shiny skin, arrival on big ships, riding of horses (a creature never seen by the natives) and use of guns, contributed to this perception. Despite overwhelming numbers and home field advantage, the natives lost due to several key factors. These factors included more sophisticated weaponry, alliances with native tribes, and the diseases that the Spaniards unknowingly carried. It was not just the Spaniards that single handily toppled these native empires. Although the Spaniards had fewer numbers, they made alliances with smaller native groups who were rivals to the more powerful native empires. Other tribes who were being persecuted by the dominant empire of the region were glad to help the Spaniards defeat a common enemy. The military weaponry of the Spaniards was much superior to that of the Native Americans. The Spaniards had muskets and the creation of steel, which was more powerful than any other metal of the time, and this gave them the edge on the natives’ weaponry. The firing of muskets was another intimidation factor, not to mention the long distance killing ability. Furthermore, the Spanish were known for the powerful war horses they bred, even in Europe. The Spanish war horses caused visual intimidation. These horses were bred and trained to be in battle and due to these factors gave the Spanish a military edge. The most devastating weapon the Spaniards carried were the germs and immunities they had within them. The Spaniards and most Europeans survived the Dark Ages of Europe, which meant surviving the Bubonic plague and other crippling diseases of the time. Those who were able to move forward built immunities to these diseases, but became carriers and infected the native populations who had no previous contact or protection against them. In addition, domesticated animals (cows, pigs, chickens, sheep, etc.) were not in the New World. The people of Europe lived next to and, in some cases, amongst these animals, eating them and drinking their milk, which further gave them protection from these Zoonotic diseases they carried, such as small pox. Achieve Page 21