***The Myth Of Superiority***

By

Matthew McHolland

History 140

Professor Arguello

SEVEN MYTHS OF THE SPANISH

CONQUEST

***The Myth of Superiority***

According to the Matthew Restall, the author of “the Seven Myths of the

Spanish Conquest,” the success of the Spanish conquest was due to the either

the technological superiority of the Spaniards or a kind of “inherent cultural

superiority.” As a result, the Spanish victory was inevitable. In other words,

the reason why the Spaniards were able to defeat all the natives was because

Europe was clearly an advanced country.

SEVEN MYTHS OF THE SPANISH

CONQUEST

***The Myth of Superiority***

Restall claims that technology advances such handguns,

cannons, steel armor, horses and dogs weren’t

consequences in the actual fighting since they were are

in short supply and the Aztecs were not daunted by this

new technology for long .

SEVEN MYTHS OF THE SPANISH

CONQUEST

***The Myth of Superiority***

Also, Restall refutes the idea that the Indian’s lack of alphabetic writing

constituted a major drawback. He also refutes the idea that Indians

were childlike. He honestly believes that the natives were not cowards at

all. Even though the Spaniards had technological support, (guns,

cannons etc.) this event did not impede the natives from fighting. He

argues that several authors have depicted Indians as weak, however,

that was not the case. The natives used everything to defend

themselves.

SEVEN MYTHS OF THE SPANISH

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***The Myth of Superiority***

The Factor behind the Conquistadores were mostly the devastating

effect of European diseases for which the Indians had no resistance,

the disunity between indigenous groups some of which allied with the

Spaniards early, the technological advances of the steel sword, and

native battle practices that were not upheld by the Spaniards.

SEVEN MYTHS OF THE SPANISH

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***The Myth of Superiority*** Conclusion: I am so glad that I had the

opportunity to learn more about the myth of superiority because I was always

intrigued to learn more about what really happened during those times. I always

wondered why the Indians were defeated. Thanks to this chapter, I now have a

better understanding of what really occurred. I honestly agree with the author in

many ways. For instance, I do believe that the major problem that prevented the

natives from succeeding were all the diseases from Europe. And I also believe that

the Spaniards consider themselves to be of a much higher race because they were

from an already civilized world.. In other words, they had powerful weapons to

defeat natives. Overall, it was a great chapter and I am glad that I got read it!

SEVEN MYTHS OF THE SPANISH

CONQUEST