Why Did The Spanish Encounter The Native Americans

The Spanish Encounter the Native Americans
During the 15th and 16th century, many of the nations in Europe were in competition to find new land and resources. This drive for new wealth lead many of the nations in exploration to what they called “the new world”. Leading this charge was the nation of Spain. During Spain’s exploration of what is now known to be North and South America, the Spanish came across a plethora of indigenous people to these new lands. As documented in the writing of Christopher Columbus and Hernando Cortes, the peoples of the new land were greatly different in almost every way. These different groups of natives had cultures that were as worlds apart from each other as they were with the Spanish. As this paper will
The Natives Cortes encountered were called the Aztecs and lived in what is now known as Mexico. The Aztecs were a war and highly religious based civilization that acquired many territories though war and used p.o.w. for sacrifices. The Aztecs level of sophistication and technological skill is what Cortes describes as so lofty a goal to explain that it would take “many accomplished writers, and much time for the completion of the task.”(Thatcher). The Aztecs had cities as large as Seville, Spain and building to match and even surpass Spain’s greatest structures. The Aztecs had large bridges made of wood that were removable in case of war. The Aztecs put a lot of effort in their spiritual beliefs. As Cortes states, “The Aztecs Great temple was grandeur of architectural details no human tongue is able to describe; and there is room enough for a town of five hundred families. Three halls are in this grand temple, which contain the principal idols; these are of wonderful extent and height, and admirable workmanship.” As for the residents housing, all were constructed of mostly stone. The wealthier of these homes had pipe lines that brought water to the residents. Also in the cities, they had many market places for selling/ buying goods. Their market places were organized in sections almost to our modern Wal-Mart’s. Cortes describes sections for all sorts of linens of many different colors, meats
When they first met each other, both natives groups showed great respect to the Spanish, as if gods. In the Columbus article, “There came many of both sexes, every one bringing something, giving thanks to God, prostrating themselves on the earth, and lifting up their hands to heaven.” In the LeonPortilla article, “Motecuhzoma had given necklaces to each one.” The only difference was that the natives Columbus saw came straight over in canoes to greet them and the Aztecs in their war like fashion waited for 10 days as the LeonPortilla article states. Also a little animosity brewed briefly after Cortes moved the idols from the great temple. However, after the those minor bumps, the natives were glad to greet new allies. The Spanish also treated the natives as friends but with different intentions. They just treated them as allies only to recon the land and carry out their true motivations. These motivations were to find gold, land, servants, and convert all pagans to Christianity for their own ambition and for the crown of