SEVEN MYTHS OF

THE SPANISH CONQUESTAshley Rubio

HIST 140

Seven Myths of the Spanish conquest: Acknowledgements & Introduction

The number seven has over time had deep

roots in the foundation

of America: Medieval law code, Cibola the

seven cities of gold, and the Mexica origin myth.

Clarification on the word meaning is explained as the not being based off of the truth.

Spanish myth is heavily based on the repetition of seven items found in the Cortes legend.

Seven Myths of the Spanish conquest:Chapter 1  

"A Handful of Adventurers:  The Myth of Exceptional Men“

o Christopher Columbus’ discovery of America is more than what was told.

o As a fact it was by simple chance that he stumbled upon the New World.

o The exploration was due in part to Portuguese expansion westward and there for the result of a Spanish discovery.

o Cortes being one important source of Spanish proof through written probanzas.

Seven Myths of the Spanish Conquest:Chapter 3

"Invisible Warriors:  The Myth of the White Conquistador“

o There is a misconception on the roles of the colored societies of the time.

o If not equaling, Africans were out numbering the Europeans during the Spanish invasions during expansion.

o Activity in the expansion of the Spanish allowed Africans to develop their skills towards freedom.

o Played an active role in invasion both in the America and in Mexico.

Seven Myths of the Spanish conquest:Chapter 7

This myth centers around the perceptions held of the Natives by Spaniards during the time of expansion.

The Spaniards felt a sense of superiority due to their more innovative weaponry and saw the Natives as merely barbarians incapable of meeting such standards of war combat.

Aspects of the time which played to the Natives weakness was the ability survive illness and disease and the fact that they were by nature a much more compassionate people.

"Apes and Men:  The Myth of Superiority"

Seven Myths of the Spanish conquest:Epilogue

Cuauhtemoc’s Betrayal:• As told from several different

points of view we see that interpretation of all sides is extremely different, which in the end gives us no real historical reason for Cuauhtemoc’s demise.

• Most accounts come from the Spaniard point of view creating too much of a bias to result in a truth. Especially given that one account from the Maya contradicts Cortes having any part of initiating the events.