The Spanish Conquest Chapter Summary

The book offers important events and discoveries that were by the Spanish in both Europe and America. The author highlights that the Spanish were first people to discover the printing press. The Spanish Conquest was made possible by the elaborate strategies utilized by renowned individuals such as Christopher Columbus and Pizarro. According to Restall (2003), the European discovery and the conquest of the America were as a result of courageous adventurers. The author highlights how powerful empires such as the Inca and Aztecs were invaded and conquered by a handful Spaniards. Further, the author notes that that Christopher Columbus made history through his geographical discoveries that saw him travel around the world. to some historians, it is Columbus who discovered America during his geographical voyage through the Atlantic. The
The Spanish soldiers were feudal lords who enjoyed the services of the mercenaries and servants. The soldiers utilized various strategies including legal and violence. Violence against the natives was common as the soldiers were largely outnumbered by the natives . Nonetheless, the soldiers did not enslave the natives rather they would exploit them for their benefit. It is only the native rulers who were held hostage at times by the soldiers. There were also African and Moorish conquistadors who were used as auxiliaries and interpreters by the Spaniards. The third chapter talks about the invisible warriors commonly referred as the white conquistadors . The conquistadors were outnumbered by the native warriors hence had to devise better strategies during their invasion. It is also highlighted that the Spaniards were also consistently outnumbered by their own allies in the battlefield. However, myths emerge as the two letters by Cortes do not mention the presence of the native allies during the Guatemala invasion among other