Just before he left for Mexico, Governor Velazquez revoked Cortez's commission because he feared that Cortez would not recognize his authority once in Mexico. Cortez however, left anyway, and later destroyed his ships so that men loyal to the governor would not have the ability to return to Cuba. When they arrived in Mexico, the Spaniards imprisoned many captives and later founded a town called La Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz, now called Veracruz. One of the prisoners, Malinche, became his lady and acted as a guide and an interpreter. Cortez established an independent government and only recognized the authority of the Spanish crown.
A People’s History of the United States: Reflection Chapter 8 We Take Nothing by Conquest, Thank God This chapter gives a summary of the events that centered around America’s newfound greed for land. It details James J. Polk’s leadership as president of a nation that was quickly expanding, yet expanding at a cost. President Polk wants to annex Texas and, in general, gain more land, but he does so without concern for the native people already living there. Zinn gives a quote from the diary of Colonel Ethan Allen Hitchcock, who opposed measures taken by General Taylor (under Polk) to annex Texas. Hitchcock explains, “He seems to have lost all respect for Mexican rights and is willing to be an instrument of Mr. Polk for pushing our boundary as far west as possible,” (Zinn 150).
attacks and revolts broke out b. Moctezuma was killed (by whom?) c. the Spanish were forced to flee 4. when the Spanish returned: (explain) 5. Cortes conquered the Aztecs and became one of the richest men in the world J. The Spanish continued colonizing North America, establishing many cities that are still round today K. Balboa’s discovery of the Pacific (from America) triggered a rush of non-Spanish speaking explorers looking for the Northwest Passage 1. importance of finding the Northwest Passage: (explain) 2. while Spain was establishing colonies in southern North America, England and France were exploring the northern parts (current day United States and Canada) L. England will ultimately challenge Spain for the “rights to the sea” 1. Sir Francis Drake was an English “sea dog” (pirate) who raided Spanish ships returning with valuables 2.
Along with the goal of removing Napoleon from Portugal, Brazil’s only set goal politically was to become independent. Because of Napoleon’s invasion of Spain starting in 1808, Mexico and other colonies started to become very passionate about having a revolution. On September 16, 1810, respected priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla issued the “Grito de Dolores” or Cry of Dolores which surmounted to Mexico declaring war against the Spanish government in the colonies. The ultimate goal was to be free from Spanish rule and have an independent government. Hidalgo sparked a bloody ten year war that ended over 300 years of colonial rule, thus achieving the initial intent (history.com The Struggle for Mexican Independence).
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was a Portuguese explorer and was famous for his exploration of the west coast of North America on behalf of Spain. Cabrillo was the first European explorer to navigate the coast of present day California.Not much is known about his early life, but Juan Rodriguez was born on 1499 in Castilla .Cabrillo served in the army of a famous conquistador Hernan Cortes, where he joined the conquest of Mexico and Guatemala. Cabrillo fought as a captain of crossbowmen in the battles between Aztecs and the Spanish. After the defeat of the Aztecs, Cabrillo joined different Spanish military expeditions in what today southern Mexico, Guatemala and San Salvador. By the 1530s Cabrillo established himself as a citizen of Santiago.
After this war, Spain assured improvements, but the nationalists did not believe they would cooperate. In 1895 when another rebellion led by Cuban nationalists took action, the Spaniards sent about 200,000 soldiers to Cuba. The Cubans reacted by damaging any property that belonged to Spain such as the sugar mills and fields hoping this would make the Spaniards retrieve their land or so the U.S can intervene in this disaster. A year later, Spain sent General Weyler to put down those nationalists in Cuba. He decided to build concentration camps and
1. Fernando Cortes was a Spanish conquistador who led an expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire. In his First Letter to King Charles I of Spain dating to July 10, 1519, Fernando Cortes provided a detailed account of his activities in Mexico. He described the country as rich in resources and its native people as savage barbarians who sacrifice their own persons for their idols. Cortes wrote that in the short time they explored the lands, the expedition has discovered that everything that King Solomon brought for the Temple existed in this country.
When Juarez returned from exile and gained the presidency of Mexico, Diaz became one of his most loyal supporters and provided the military muscle for his liberal causes (Reed). Diaz first ran for the presidency of Mexico in 1871 against his partner and mentor Benito Juarez, and Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada. The results of the election were so close that it could not be decided on votes alone and was sent to the congress to decide. Juarez’s party held the majority of seats and basically by default was awarded the presidency. This outcome greatly upset Diaz and Diaz later would show his opinion by not accepting the results and threw an unsuccessful revolt to overthrow
In 1898 the Spanish- American war began when America decided to liberate the Spanish colonies Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines. The US won and gained control of the colonies, although instead of liberating the colonies they had fought to free and continue the fight against imperialism they became what they had been telling the world that they resented, an empire. This was the first step the US took towards becoming the world’s toughest police officer. After the First World War was won, President Wilson proposed 14 points at the meeting in Versailles that the rest of the world should follow to gain stability and peace in the world. This was the second step.
Due to smallpox and the invasion of Cortes and his army, the Aztecs were wiped out, so they weren’t given a chance to resist the Spanish empire and regain independence as a separate empire. In order for Cortes to justify his invasive actions, he reasoned that by the end of his conquest he’d acquire lots of riches which would ensure some position of power for himself in the future. Additionally, the Spanish empire would most likely thrive with the ability to trade much of their earned riches for trade that the advanced civilizations, especially China, had to offer. Because he conquered Mexico, today most/all of Mexico follows Christianity and speaks Spanish and embraces a vast majority of Spanish