The document discusses seven myths of the Spanish conquest of the New World, specifically focusing on the myth of completion. It explains that for political, economic, and social reasons, it was advantageous for the conquistadors to declare their wars completed and exaggerate their victories, even though in reality many native cultures survived and continued resisting Spanish colonization for a long time. By presenting the conquest as finished, the conquistadors could avoid punishment for failing to achieve success and encourage further Spanish colonization despite the ongoing threat from native groups.

1. Seven Myths of the Spanish Conquest Why the Myth of Completion Became Fact

2. Spain’s prowess is proved by declaring completion with the New World. Conquistadors find fame and wealth with their victory. Advantageous to put the wars behind them Political

3. If conquistadors broke with their contracts, or did not achieve success, they could be fined and imprisoned, so they always told a very different story then the reality. Economic

4. Spanish colonies cement their locations, build out Many cultures survived and kept up the resistance, this was disadvantageous to getting Spanish to colonize out of fear of the natives. So this reality was squashed. Spanish preferred to tell tales about their victories. Social

5. Seven Myths of the Spanish Conquest By: Matthew Restall Chapter 4: The Myth of Completion Pg. 64-76 Content