New World Brings New Problems
Natasha Anbalagan
NEW WORLD, One could truly say this is the Age of Exploration. With the discovery of the New World, Spain’s European neighbors cannot seem to get enough of their share to this New World. Some focus on acquiring as much land as possible to bring in wealth, as mercantilism states, is key to a successful economy. Others focus on spreading the good news of the Lord. Spanish priests work ceaselessly to spread God’s message to the natives of the foreign lands. These priests also spoke out against the cruel treatment of natives.
Priests particularly speak out against encomienda systems. In encomienda systems, Natives are forced to do manual labor and farm or mine for Spain. Leak Quill interviewed a Dominican monk, Bartolomé de Las Casas, who avidly spoke out against encomienda systems. He says, “There is nothing more detestable or more cruel than the tyranny which the Spaniards use toward the Indians for the getting of pearl [riches].”
SPANISH AMERICA- THE MIGHTY HERNANDO CORTEZ 1519
Rachael Kang
Spain gained much honor and power when explorer Hernando Cortez claimed and conquered an entire civilization in the name of Spain. Ships spilling over with gold and treasures returned to Spain from this newly conquered civilization, the Aztecs. This mighty civilization outnumbered our brave explorer and his conquistadors an entire civilization to a mere 200, but with the power of God and Spanish blood, this land and its civilization was delivered to Spanish hands.
When interviewed, señor Cortez had this to say, “For glory, I conquered this land, for wealth, I brought home mountains of gold, for the future, I provided the pathway for more explorers and future colonists. I am proud of my men for sticking with me to the very end. They are all brave conquistadors.”
When questioned about his amazing feat, señor Cortez commented, “There is nothing to tell, really. My men were obviously superior, but what was strange was the state of the civilization when we attacked. Only weeks before, the civilization seemed all lively and well, but the day of the attack, everyone seemed scared and—not as healthy looking?” All we can think is that God delivered the land to us, and Hernando Cortez delivered the riches to us.
Events in Peru
Jean Im
Since the colonization of the Aztec empire, conquistadors from Spain have tried to claim lands for the benfit of our own country. Of the many conquistadors, Francisco Pizarro was one who ventured to the ouside world, claiming lands for our own. While working with Panama, his destination to South America had a brief halt, when the governor of Panama wanted his voyage to end. However, Francisco decided to continue, regardless of the governor’s order and set foot on the Incan lands. He met the Incan ruler, Atahualpa, and destroyed Atahualpa’s army of thirty-thousand men. Meanwhile, he kidnapped Atahualpa who offered Francisco and his army gold and silver. With this offering, Atahualpa expected to be released to his people, but his life ended in strangulation. And so, Francisco and his army continued their journey through the Incan lands, successfully capturing the Incan capital of Cuzco.
