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-Hernan Cortes Conquers Mexico (1519-1526) A: Hernan Cortes- Spanish conquistador in search of gold and glory P: Mexico/Central Americain the Aztec empire; 1519-1526 P: Cortes hoped to find gold and other riches during exploration; was accepted by the Aztecs b/c they believed he was a god (armor, weapons, horses); after he took much of their gold and destroyed their city, the Aztecs rebelled upon discovering he was mortal; wiped out most of the Aztecs due to disease; opened the Americas to other Spanish explorers and brought the Spanish culture itself to Americas A: the Spanish monarchy; powerful, so Cortes needed to earn their support and favor in order to continue his expeditions R:Cortes wrote to describe his conquest of the Aztecs. He describes them as submissive and says that they venerate him as a god. Cortes wants the monarchy to see the amount of control he has, in addition to displaying the riches that they have given and he has taken. Finally, he is showing that he is dedicated to spreading Catholicism by removing the Aztecs' savage idols and putting an end to their barbaric rituals. T: Cortes is conveying the amount of power he has over the Aztecs. They obey his orders, such as suspending their religious practices in favor of Catholicism and giving Cortes gold, because they are under the mistaken belief that he is a god. Cortes says that the Aztecs desire to change their savage culture and readily accept it, justifying his radical changes in Mexico. Cortes feels no remorse for completely controlling people who he considers to be inferior beings. S:This source displays that Cortes believed he was in the right. He accepts the role of a god without hesitation, showing a desire to control the civilization. In addition, this source provides an example of how Spanish culture began to force out traditional Aztec practices. Cortes wanted his supreme culture to dominate the Aztecs. This also displays Spanish greed, as Cortes focuses mainly on the gift of the gold necklaces. He greatly desires that wealth for his country and himself. He describes the natives as willing to give him gold and other riches.

-Aztec Chroniclers Describe the Spanish Conquest of Mexico (1519) A: an Aztec who witnessed Cortes's inavsion P: Aztec empire in Mexico; 1519 P: the Aztec people were conquered by the Spanish after they accepted the riches-seeking Cortes into their city as a god; had long been the dominant civilization; their gold was taken and their labor exploited; population devastated by European diseases; their civilization as they knew it ended as their culture became intermixed with Spanish culture A: Bernardino de Sahagun, a Franciscan friar writing a history of the Aztec civilization R: This Aztec wants to show the true nature of the Spanish conquistadors. Though they gave them prized gifts and hoped to display their treasured ritual, they were slain by the Europeans, who viewed the practice as barbaric. The Aztec is resentful that they would kill simply because they were unfamiliar with the custom and because it was so different from their own. T: The Spanish did not truly esteem the Aztecs. When they gave them gifts of flowers and gold, only the gold was recognized. They enslaved Motecuhzoma, the leader, in order to exercise control over the city. When the natives celebrated a festival, complete with ritual cotumes and dance and an elaborate idol, the Spanish viewed it as savage and killed all of the warrior and revelers. This brutality appeared unwarranted to the well-meaning Aztecs. S: Though the Spanish portrayed their actions as noble, just, and accepted by the natives, their senseless violence angered the Aztecs, who looked up to them as divine beings. The Aztecs saw the conquerors as enslavers who attacked on a whim. The key idea is that the Spanish were far from benevolent with the Aztec people.

Though these two sources describe the same event, they have very different viewpoints: Cortes believes that he is noble for conquering the natives and changing their savage ways while the Aztecs see the Spanish as violent barbarians aiming to destroy their lives as they know them. Cortes depicts the Aztecs as obedient people who genuinely want to have their city destroyed, their religion suspended, and their culture radically changed in order to please their presumed god. However, the Aztec source claims that the people were proud to show off their festival rituals and customs, while being horrified by the ensuing massacre. They feel victimized and cannot understand the attacks on their well-meaning attempts to display their culture to the Spanish. While Cortes feels that the Aztecs want to accept the Spanish culture, the Aztecs themselves hope to proudly retain their culture. In addition, Cortes views the Aztecs as savages because they have seemingly grotesque religious practices, but the Aztecs find the Spanish barbaric due to their unnecessary violence. Hence, these sources differ on points on the accepting of changing cultures and of who is the true savage: the Spanish or the Aztecs.

8/31/09 -A Young African Boy is Taken into Slavery (c. 1735) When Venture Smith was taken from his home, it must have been terrible to watch his strong father being beaten and subsequently killed. After looking up to his father as a role model and a leader, Venture was upset to see him cut down. Due to his naturally compliant nature, Venture took to slavery, obeying his master and earning his trust. His dedication allowed him to work through the difficult tasks and achieve freedom, despite numerous setbacks and exhorbitant prices for his independence. Venture's nature and character helped him to survive and eventually thrive in the colonies.

-The Intolerant Act of Toleration (1649) The Act of Toleration protected Catholics by declaring that anyone who wronged a believer of Jesus would be severely punished. Also, Catholic ideals are preserved, and colonists are forbidden to use terms that demean Catholics and others. If this act was strictly followed, all Jews and atheists would be put to death and have their belongings and property confiscated, due to their denial of Jesus Christ and several Christian sacrements. The Act of Toleration protected Christians in Maryland, especially Catholics, while subtlely persecuting atheists and Jews.

-Framing the Mayflower Compact (1620) The Mayflower Compact was one of the first forms of the Constitution. It promises to enact fair laws that benefit the majority of the people. The Compact, though framed by only a few, displays the unity of a group that hopes that their society can take hold and thrive in the New World. Though all of the laws implemented may not have been just, this doctrine demonstrates how the Pilgrims sought to create a land of equality for themselves. Therefore, the Mayflower Compact foreshadows the development of democracy and the American Constitution.

-Anne Hutchinson is Banished (1637) The Puritans believed in obedience and the inability of common followers to communicate with higher powers. It was considered heresy for Anne Hutchinson to lead her own group of worshippers and to claim that she was in direct contact with God. The Puritans exiled those who challenged their ideals from their society. The trial showed some forms of justice by showing evidence and allowing the accused to testify; however, the court was unfairly determined to find Mrs. Hutchinson guilty until proven innocent of her heinous crime and denied her information about her conviction.

-The Blue Laws of Connecticut (1672) For all of the crimes listed in this excerpt of Connecticut's Blue Laws, death is the punishment. These offenses are considered crimes against humanity or religious blasphemy. The punishment is death because these crimes are seen as capital offenses that make the perpetrator too corrupt to live. Today, there are laws forbidding murder and perjury, though the punishment is not always death; there are also laws that permit self-defense. However, laws concerning religion involve tolerance and laws concerning witchcraft have been done away with.