The Spanish Conquest Rhetorical Analysis

With the Spanish conquest in Latin America came many accounts from both Spanish and indigenous writers. These primary sources are not only useful because of their content, but also because of their omissions. That is to say that the discrepancies found among writers of different class, race, or political position, are expressive of their individual biases. Analyzing what these variations are and why they exist allows for a deeper understanding of the history of this colonial period. Especially in understanding the opinions and perspectives of one group upon another, and how these perspectives are perpetuated. The contrasting accounts occur not only between the conquistadores and the indigenous people, but also within the ranks of the Spaniards.
It is important to keep the ideas of the audience and rhetoric at the forefront of consideration in all three differing accounts. These writers, specifically the two conquistadores, were benefited by the fact that they are writing ‘eyewitness’ accounts with nobody to determine the veracity of their claims. Therefore, any biases should be perceived through their effort to convince their audience and what they hope to accomplish. Hernán Cortés’ letter to the crown describing the first encounters with the Mexica natives is brief, yet his message is clear. He recounts that on his journey to Tenochtitlan a number of Moctezuma’s emissaries met with him with great respect however their leader “ begged [Cortés], not to go [to Tenochtitlan], for [he] would suffer many hardships”, yet despite their protests still “gave [him] some three or four thousand castellanos and some clothing and slave girls, and made [him] very welcome” (Cortés, 16-17). With his series of lines, and the entire passage more generally, Cortés is purposefully making two things clear to the crown. He is saying that the Mexica are not only fearful, but also wealthy, therefore making them ideal targets for conquest. Through this narrative, Cortés is attempting to garner continued Spanish support by
With analysis the notion of barbarity becomes highly evident and how the two groups perceive and construct that notion. From the Nahua perspective. the seizure of Moteuczoma is synonymous with Spaniard greed, as if their leader is only an obstacle towards the ultimate Spaniard goal of wealth. In the Nahuat account it is stated that “immediately [the conquistadores] seized Moteuczoma” and only moments later were brought to the treasure stockpiles where they stripped the metals and “right away they set [it] on fire...ignited all the different precious things” and proceeded to take “everything they saw that pleased them” (Florentine Codex, 55-56). The way the Nahuat perceived Spanish greed is also revealed in the codex. Speaking of the conquistadores, they write that “gold was what they greatly thirsted for; they were gluttonous for it, starved for it, they piggishly wanted it” (52). This quote gives insight into the perception of barbarity from the indigenous side. Whereas the codex depicts a ‘lack of culture’ or barbarous behavior among the Spaniards Bernal Díaz places the same judgement upon the Mexica while simultaneously offering a much different account of the capture of Moteuczoma. Bernal Díaz said the seizure occurred much later and only once it was entirely necessary.