Paper Instructions
Your topic must be the the same topic approved by your instructor in the week three proposal.
This short paper is to be at least three full double-spaced pages of text (Times New Roman, font size 12, one-inch margins, no double-spacing between paragraphs) and you must consult (and correctly cite) a minimum of two academically credible sources. Your bibliography and in-paper citations must be in full, correctly formatted MLA, APA or Chicago Style format. Abstracts are not to be included in this assignment and will not be included in the 3-full pages word count. Students majoring in history must use Chicago Style format.
NOTE: The separate cover page and the separate bibliography page are not to be included in the page count.
The short paper needs to be turned in through the assignment section for grading. If you use any of the information from your sources word-for-word, you must cite the source by using endnotes, footnotes, or parenthetical citations. If you read the information and write it in your own words and it is not common knowledge, then you must cite the source because you are paraphrasing someone’s information.
The short paper must include a cover page with your name, course number and course title, instructor’s name, and date. You must also include a bibliography at the end (separate page) of your paper. While composing your paper, use proper English. Do not use abbreviations, contractions, passive voice, or first/second person (I, you, we, our, etc). Before submitting your paper, check your grammar and use spell check. Remember, the way you talk is not the way you write a paper. Label your paper as follows: lastnamefirstnameHIST101ShortPaper.
Again, no abstracts, and the cover page and the bibliography are not to be included in the three full pages count.
Name: Cristian DeWeese
Topic: The Spanish Conquistadors of America and its Effects
Research Questions
1. How did the Spanish conquistadors utilize military strategies and alliances with indigenous groups to achieve their conquest of the Americas?
2. How did the Spanish conquistadors overcome the military challenges posed by the advanced indigenous civilizations, such as the Aztecs and Incas?
3. How did the Spanish conquistadors justify their conquest of the Americas in terms of religion and ideology?
Thesis Statement:
The consequences of the Spanish conquest of America helped in shaping the social, political, and economic structures of the newly established colonies and had enduring effects on the indigenous populations by overcoming military challenges and resistances. It transformed the indigenous societies and left lasting legacies of cultural assimilation, economic exploitation, and demographic devastation for American history.
Sources:
1. “The Spanish Conquest” from courses. lumenlearning.com: Lumen Learning. (n.d.). The Spanish conquest. Retrieved from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-jcc-ushistory1os/chapter/the-spanish-conquest/ [Primary Source]
This article highlights the effects and impacts of Spanish conquest of the Americas. It covers the military strategies employed by the Spanish conquistadors, such as the utilization of advanced weaponry and alliances with indigenous groups. The author discusses the significant impact of the conquest on the indigenous civilizations, including the imposition of Spanish culture, language, and religion, as well as the exploitation of natural resources. It also provides the insight about the devastating consequences of diseases brought by the Spanish, resulting in a significant demographic decline among native populations. A strength of the article is its informative and well-structured content, providing a detailed overview of the conquest. However, a weakness is that it may lack some in-depth analysis of the cultural and social ramifications of the Spanish conquest on indigenous societies.
2. Spanish Conquest of the Americas. don Quijote. (n.d.). https://www.donquijote.org/spanish-culture/history/spanish-conquest-of-america/ [Secondary Source]
This article mostly provides the military strategies and alliances employed by the Spanish conquistadors in their quest to conquer America. It provides insights into the tactics they utilized to achieve their goals. The article highlights how the conquistadors effectively employed superior military technology, such as firearms and armored cavalry, which gave them a significant advantage over the indigenous populations. Additionally, they formed alliances with indigenous groups who were opposed to the ruling powers, leveraging internal conflicts to weaken the native civilizations they encountered. This military strategy, combined with alliances, played a pivotal role in the Spanish conquest. A strength of the article is its detailed exploration of the military tactics and alliances employed by the conquistadors. However, a weakness is that it may lack extensive analysis of the long-term consequences and impacts of the conquest on the indigenous societies and cultures.
3. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Ideology Behind the Spanish Conquest. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Central-America/The-Spanish-conquest [Secondary Source]
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Spanish conquest of America, with a particular emphasis on the religious and ideological justifications behind it. it explores how the Spanish conquistadors justified their conquest in terms of religion and ideology, specifically their mission to spread Christianity and save the souls of the indigenous populations. It discusses the role of Catholicism as a driving force behind the conquest, as well as the establishment of missions and the conversion efforts undertaken by the Spanish. One strength of the article is its in-depth analysis of the religious and ideological motivations of the conquistadors. However, a weakness is that it may not provide as much detail on other factors that contributed to the conquest, such as economic and political interests.
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The Spanish Conquistadors of America and Their Effects
Abstract:
This short paper examines the Spanish conquest of America and its consequences on the newly established colonies and indigenous populations. It explores the military strategies and alliances employed by the Spanish conquistadors, the challenges they faced when encountering advanced indigenous civilizations, and the religious and ideological justifications for their conquest. By analyzing academically credible sources, this paper aims to shed light on the enduring effects of the Spanish conquest, including cultural assimilation, economic exploitation, and demographic devastation.
Introduction:
The Spanish conquest of America had a profound impact on the social, political, and economic structures of the newly established colonies. It also left lasting legacies on the indigenous populations, reshaping their societies in significant ways. This paper addresses the research questions regarding the military strategies and alliances utilized by the Spanish conquistadors, how they overcame challenges posed by advanced indigenous civilizations, and the religious and ideological justifications for their conquest.
I. Military Strategies and Alliances:
The Spanish conquistadors employed various military strategies to achieve their conquest of the Americas. They utilized advanced weaponry, such as firearms and armored cavalry, which gave them a significant advantage over the indigenous populations (don Quijote). Additionally, forming alliances with indigenous groups who were opposed to the ruling powers played a pivotal role in weakening the native civilizations (don Quijote). This strategy allowed the Spanish conquistadors to leverage internal conflicts within the indigenous societies to their advantage (Lumen Learning).
II. Overcoming Challenges:
The Spanish conquistadors faced significant military challenges when encountering advanced indigenous civilizations, such as the Aztecs and Incas. However, they were able to overcome these challenges through a combination of military tactics and technological superiority (don Quijote). The use of firearms and armor provided the Spanish with a decisive advantage on the battlefield (don Quijote). Moreover, the alliances formed with indigenous groups who resented the ruling powers further weakened the resistance of these advanced civilizations (don Quijote).
III. Religious and Ideological Justifications:
Religion and ideology played a crucial role in justifying the Spanish conquest of America. The Spanish conquistadors saw themselves as agents of Christianity, with a mission to spread the faith and save the souls of the indigenous populations (Encyclopædia Britannica). Catholicism served as a driving force behind the conquest, leading to the establishment of missions and conversion efforts (Encyclopædia Britannica). The religious and ideological justifications provided a moral framework for the Spanish conquest, legitimizing their actions and facilitating their control over the indigenous populations.
Conclusion:
The Spanish conquest of America had far-reaching consequences that shaped the social, political, and economic structures of the newly established colonies. The military strategies employed by the Spanish conquistadors, including alliances with indigenous groups, allowed them to achieve their conquest and overcome the challenges posed by advanced indigenous civilizations. Moreover, the religious and ideological justifications provided a moral framework for the conquest. The long-term effects of the conquest included cultural assimilation, economic exploitation, and demographic devastation among the indigenous populations. The Spanish conquest of America had a lasting impact on American history, leaving a complex legacy that continues to be examined and analyzed.
References:
Don Quijote. (n.d.). Spanish Conquest of the Americas. Retrieved from https://www.donquijote.org/spanish-culture/history/spanish-conquest-of-america/
Lumen Learning. (n.d.). The Spanish Conquest. Retrieved from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-jcc-ushistory1os/chapter/the-spanish-conquest/
Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Ideology Behind the Spanish Conquest. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/place
