Essay on Colonial Latin American History
As it is evident from different historical sources, there has always been a fierce competition for wealth and prosperity among the European countries. Today, it is widely known about the remarkable voyage of the captain Christopher Columbus for Spain back in 1492. And this was the beginning of the colonial Latin American history. Instead of sailing to the east, Christopher Columbus sailed west all across the Atlantic ocean seeking for the alternative trade route to the rich and wealthy lands of Asia. Every school child knows this story that ended with Columbus never reaching the shores of Asia, but instead stepping onto an unknown land in the Caribbean. It was this event that catalyzed the process of bringing together the European and American peoples. And this significant and memorable event soon changed the world forever.
The following paper analyzes different aspects of the Spanish colonization of the Americas during the colonial times. The paper discusses the events of that period in detail and with an emphasis on the factors that led to the colonization. It goes without saying that this significant event brought about many changes for both European and American peoples. Thus, the following research further explores both the unavoidable outcomes and quite predictable consequences of the colonization. The paper also explores the historical data on Spanish conquistadors who first entered the Latin America and opened a new trade route, consequently creating a connection between Europe and America. The research question of the following paper is to thoroughly analyze the historical data in terms of the actions of Spanish invaders in regard to the newly discovered land and its people. The actions of Spanish colonists were at times fierce and violent and this question is also discussed throughout the following research. It should be admitted that the Spanish colonization of the Americas was surely a significant and memorable event that had shaken the world and changed it for ages to come.
How it all began
The Spanish colonization of America was firstly meant to be exploration and later settlement and political governing over most of the western land by the Spanish Empire. It all began with the Spanish conquistadors, whose motivation for the colonial expansion was majorly trade and the spread of Christian religion. The colonization of the Americas lasted for more than four hundred years, starting back in 1492 and lasting till 1898. Everybody knows the memorable story of the arrival of Christopher Columbus, who aimed at finding a trade route to Asia, but instead found himself in the Caribbean island. During further years of exploration, the Spanish Empire expanded across most part of today’s Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean islands. Its expansion soon spread across many other lands of America. The colonization of America lasted till the early 19th century, when the revolutionary events finally resulted in the independence of most Spanish colonies[1]. The fatal loss of the territories politically brought an end to the Spanish colonization of America. However, the cultural and religious influences remain even nowadays.
Factors leading to the Spanish colonization of Latin America
Spain had a number of motivations to expand and conquer the south of America. First of all, one would surely take into consideration religious motifs. Religion was the first and one of the major justifications for the colonization of Latin America. The Spanish expulsion and victory of the Muslim Moors from the so-called reconquista took place at the starting point of the age of discovery[2]. At the time when Spanish and Portuguese conquistadors entered the previously unknown lands and made new discoveries, they considered themselves to be crusaders, whose major mission and goal was to bring Catholicism to the indigenous people of Latin America for it to spread all across the newly conquered territories. Thus, the primary goal for the first expeditions to the new lands was to convert the people of the present Latin America, whom Europeans viewed as barbaric and savage. It is known from the historical data that Catholic priests travelled together with the Spanish conquistadors on their voyages across the ocean.
The second and not less important factor for the colonization of Latin America was based on the economic and political motivations during the first expeditions to the New World. Thus, Spanish Empire viewed conquering of the lands in the New World as means to enlarge the size and enhance the strength of the Spanish Empire. This factor is undoubtedly well grounded, as it should be admitted that conquering new territories encouraged the spread of influence, power and prestige of Spain within the community of Europe. Furthermore, it is evident that early stages of overseas exploration by Spanish conquistadors turned to be successful as Spain managed to acquire monopolies on the spice trade. Moreover, the Spanish discovered precious metals like gold and silver in the newly discovered lands of Latin America. This discovery soon led to the growth of Spanish prosperity and wealth.
First settlements in Latin America
The first discoveries and explorations of Spanish conquistadors were followed by the stage of inland conquest and corresponding expeditions. The first mainland settlement in America was located in Santa Maria la Antiqua del Darien[3]. The Spanish invaders were extremely amazed by and surprised at the extent of prosperity of that land. Immeasurable wealth in silver and gold, complex cities greatly surpassing the European ones and a great number of outstanding scientific and artistic achievements were among the most remarkable discoveries of the Spanish conquistadors. Here, it should be mentioned that the Spanish conquest in the newly discovered land that became to be known as the New World was driven by the so-called three “G”. These stood for gold, gospel and glory[4].
The first settlement was followed by the conquest of Mexico by Spanish conquistadors. The Spanish conquest of Mexico was led by Hernando Cortes during the years 1519-1521. The beginning of three hundred years of Spanish hegemony in Mexico was marked as the time when Hernando Cortes landed in today’s Veracruz. This happened on April 22, 1519. From that time on, the land of Mexico was governed by the Spanish Empire. And this settlement was marked to be full of enjoyable and amazing discoveries. Mexico became one of the most ample, wealthy and prosperous regions among the colonized territories of America.
The Spanish conquest moved further to the lands of the present day Peru. Many years of fight and fierce struggle have passed before the conquistadors extended control over one of the greatest Andes land now known as Peru. The victory over the region was marked to be the year of 1542, although the battle between the Spanish and Inca Empires began much earlier. In fact, it took decades of violent fighting for Spanish leaders to subdue the most powerful and mightiest empire in America. However, the rule over the Inca civilization was finally gained and this was the beginning of a long-lasting period of Peru colonization. It took three hundred years for the lands of Peru to be liberated and gain independence.
Essay on Colonial Latin American History part 2
Do you like this essay?
Our writers can write a paper like this for you!
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading...