Columbus and Cortes Essay Example
Columbus and Cortes Essay Example

Columbus and Cortes Essay Example

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  • Pages: 4 (841 words)
  • Published: November 7, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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In the 16th century, Spaniards Herman Cortes and Christopher Columbus embarked on journeys in search of new worlds. Christopher Columbus encountered a group of simple Native Americans in the Caribbean islands, while Herman Cortes encountered a more advanced Native American group in Meso America, known today as Mexico. This essay will compare and contrast various aspects of these Native American civilizations, including education, engineering, lodging, weapons, religion, and their reaction to the Spaniards. Letters written by Columbus and Cortes will be used for these comparisons. The first impressions and acceptance from new people were important to both Columbus and Cortes. The Natives that Columbus encountered were welcoming to the Spaniards. In his writing on Tuesday, October 16, Columbus mentions a man who gave a favorable account of them. The Indian man provided

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Columbus with numerous canoes to deliver water and other supplies to the Spaniards on their ships. Columbus directed that the Native Americans boarding the ship be fed with molasses. He states that when he sent the boat ashore for water, the natives willingly guided the men and helped transport the barrels to the boat, seeming to take pleasure in serving them."Herman Cortez and his forces were given a grand welcome in the Aztec capital. During the dialogue between Cortez and Aztec ruler Motechzoma, the ruler presented necklaces to Cortez and his men. Motechzoma showed Cortez great respect by bowing before him and addressing him as Lord. The greeting concluded with the Spaniards clasping Motechzoma's hands and patting his back as a gesture of fondness. Both Cortez and Columbus were warmly received by the Natives they encountered, with no animosity between the two groups

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The Natives encountered by Columbus seemed non-aggressive, despite some reports of them possessing weapons. Likewise, in Cortez's letter about the Aztecs, he describes them as being protected by their weapons and shields. Although both groups treated the newly arrived Spaniards similarly, they differed greatly in their religious beliefs. The Aztecs were highly religious, evidenced by their numerous temples and black-clad priesthood who refrained from grooming. Cortez attempted to redirect their devotion towards his God through persuasion.""The Aztecs demonstrated the strength of their beliefs by refusing to convert. In contrast, the Native Americans encountered by Christopher Columbus did not have any religious beliefs or practices. As mentioned earlier, the Aztecs had numerous temples and houses for their idols. The architectural structures of the Aztecs were highly advanced. Firstly, it should be noted that their State was built in a circular shape, surrounded by rugged mountains. Although not explicitly stated in Cortes’ letter, it could have been strategically located there for protection in times of conflict, using the surrounding land as a defense. Cortes states, with great admiration, that "the main streets are very wide and straight, and the smaller ones are half land and half water, navigated by canoes." The city was strategically planned and built in a fortified manner. According to Cortes, there is one temple that surpasses all others and cannot be described using human language. He describes one castle as having marble columns and jasper floors. In comparison to the city encountered by Columbus, the Aztec city seems like paradise. The towns encountered by Columbus were basic and appeared poor. Columbus mentioned that "none of the small towns I saw contained more than

12 or 15 houses." In his account, he compares these houses to collapsible shelters. Therefore, I conclude that the Native American structures encountered by Columbus were much less sophisticated."Both the lodging and the arms of the Native Americans encountered by Columbus were drastically different from those of the Aztecs, as described in letters by Cortes and Columbus. Cortes explains that the metropolis had many fine and impressive houses, some of which had upper and lower levels. In contrast, Columbus encountered collapsible shelters with high chimneys, but he noted that they were well-maintained and orderly.

When it came to weaponry, the Native Americans defended themselves with seemingly ineffective arms, possibly because they lacked iron. Columbus mentions that they used sticks or fishbone on the ends of their javelins and struggled to handle the Spaniards' blades correctly, often injuring themselves. On the other hand, Cortes describes the Aztecs as having blades and shields for protection.

Overall, the two civilizations were as different as night and day in terms of education and technology. The Aztecs appeared more sophisticated and technologically advanced, evident through their organized markets and devoted idol worship.Cortes mentioned that the edifice constructions in his provinces had a highly advanced engineering system of pipes for water distribution. On the other hand, the Natives encountered by Columbus appeared to be less sophisticated, as both men and women went around without clothing and seemed to have little technology. This can be seen in their lack of weapons and advanced architecture. Through various observations in the letters by Christopher Columbus and Cortes, it is evident that their encounters with Native Americans were quite distinct. The Aztecs were clearly superior to the

Native Americans encountered by Columbus in terms of education and technology.

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