The True History of the Conquest of Mexico Essay Example for Free

The True History of the Conquest of Mexico Essay The True History of the Conquest of Mexico by Bernel Diaz Castillo started with the events leading to the discovery of the province of Yucatan. Following the coast to the west, they discovered reefs and coves, resulting to the ordering of the governor of Cuba to send out a Navy to investigate.   A series of events followed, from the discovery of one coast to another and finally reaching San Juan de Ulua, a small island. From the Indians, they found out about Mexico, a then undiscovered land. How the formalities went about and finally setting out to discover Mexico. Castillo also talked about the courteous reception they have received from the natives, and how, in the turn of events, the war between them and the Mexicans started. He related what went on in the war, both the battle itself and the legalities. He talked about how, eventually, they were able to conquer Mexico. One of the most important factors in the turn of events was the discovery of the Yucatan province. If it had not been found, everything would not have fallen into place. Don Hernà ¡n Cortà ©s’s letters to King Charles V are also very important in the sense that it was the main source of communication, though vague, and of course, a bit relative as a source. Diego Velasquez, the governor of Cuba, ordered to send a Navy to the new land they discovered.   They arrived at the river of Tabasco where they all got together. They followed the coast ahead, towards the west and arrived at the river of flags, from there arriving at a small islet that is now called San Juan de Ulua. They joined forces with another Navy to discover the new land. Diego Velasquez sent a servant to Gaspar de Garnica with orders and provision, in case they get caught, Don Cortez and the Navy will be taken to him. The Indians not only welcomed them, but treated them like Gods who came from the water and to them; Cortez became the light accompanied by horsemen and soldiers for the island of Cozumel. It was through words that they were able to get their way among the natives, a great communication skill that led them to these success. But the natives had other vicious traditions that had placed the fear of God in them, and circumstances that only God could have saved them from.   Complications arose in relation to the language, resulting to a change in course of actions. They were able to side-step this obstacle for Cortez knew of two Spaniards who were knowledgeable about the ways of Indians in the End of Cotoche and he aided their help. Cortez divided the ships and assigned who will captain in each one of them, also the instructions regarding the signals and other stuff. They got into the Indians small community and tried to befriend them, with the intentions of gaining their trust. Learning their customs, and gaining their friendship, the Spaniards started inserting their own ways, these of course is after gaining alliance with more than 30 communities of the mountain ranges.   They won the favors of the Indians by serving them and showing utmost respect. The Spaniards were all too careful in making their actions, taking every consideration and every possibility they can come up with. A proof of the smooth maneuvering of the Spaniards with careful planning and step by step take over. Hernando Cortez became the Commander in chief and Greater Justice of the small Indian island until the king Henry V gave out his orders. The Spaniards decided to populate Villa Rica with the Side Cross to strengthen and establish their grounds, close to the port where their ships were anchored. They also started integrating their Catholic religion when Cortez ordered the building of an altar with the image Mother Mary, a cross and the baptism of eight Indians, the natives accepting it. They returned to Villa Rica and conflicts gave them reason to set out for Mexico. They were ordered to go to Mexico and by the councils, an encounter forged the gap within their army. Castillo related of the great battle they faced from there and that it was only God’s mercy that lent them strength to overcome it. They had been trying in futility it seems to ask for reinforcement and how Cortez sent him to the King eighty thousand pesos in gold and silver, and sent a shot that was a very rich wrought of many figures, age of shaken gold under with silver, that by name said the Fenix, and also sent to its father, Martin Cortez, on five thousand pesos of gold. And of course, relating to corruption even at the time. In the latter part of their quest to conquer Mexico, the Spaniards branded them by establishing the Catholic religion, emphasizing the strong religious qualities that had been their main stronghold in every facet of their lives. Cortez has clearly dominated the scene and has in a lot ways disregarded the orders of his superiors. Religion is a great way to conquer people because there is no need for so much brute for. The main concern is their psychological aspect. Spaniards showed them the consequences of people without a religion. They introduced a concept of life after death, wherein you have to be a Catholic in order to be saved, to be ensured that you have a wonderful life after death. Throughout the literary piece, Cortez has expressed his side of the story, his views and how he perceived them. He talked about the blind obedience they had to their king and how even when Indians ate their fellow soldiers, they will not back out. He talks about the anomalies inside the church, the indulgences and the gold and all the other violence inflicted, but also his almost acceptance for he says they serve their own way and purposes. He talks about the land they were able to conquer, and the lives they have sacrificed and all for the wishes of their king, and yet bemoans the fact that credit is not given where it should be due. The way he talked about the church and their King relates to the very foundation of their society. It is the church that tells them how to live their lives by the way it dictates their being. What they do and how they do it is for the God above and the King. The implication of their blind obedience to their king is a touch of loyalty but also integrated duty. It is a realization of how the smaller designation of power works, how higher orders are side-stepped and how the one who holds that power can be formidable.