The document summarizes the key chapters and arguments from the book "Seven Myths of the Spanish Conquest". It debunks common myths about the conquest, including that it was led by exceptional men like Columbus and Cortes, that it was achieved by white conquistadors alone, and that the Spanish viewed themselves as superior to Native Americans. It concludes by examining conflicting accounts of Cuauhtemoc's betrayal from Spanish and Maya perspectives.

1. SEVEN MYTHS
OF
THE SPANISH
CONQUEST
Ashley Rubio
HIST 140

2. Seven Myths of the Spanish conquest:
Acknowledgements & Introduction
The
number
seven has
over time
 Clarification on the word
had deep meaning is explained as the not
roots in the
foundation being based off of the truth.
of America:
Medieval  Spanish myth is heavily based
law code, on the repetition of seven items
Cibola the
seven cities found in the Cortes legend.
of gold, and
the Mexica
origin
myth.

3. Seven Myths of the Spanish conquest:
Chapter 1
"A Handful of
Adventurers: The Myth of
Exceptional Men“
o Christopher Columbus’
discovery of America is more
than what was told.
o As a fact it was by simple
chance that he stumbled
upon the New World.
o The exploration was due in
part to Portuguese expansion
westward and there for the
result of a Spanish discovery.
o Cortes being one important
source of Spanish proof
through written probanzas.

4. Seven Myths of the Spanish Conquest:
Chapter 3
"Invisible Warriors: The Myth of
the White Conquistador“
o There is a misconception on the
roles of the colored societies of
the time.
o If not equaling, Africans were out
numbering the Europeans during
the Spanish invasions during
expansion.
o Activity in the expansion of the
Spanish allowed Africans to
develop their skills towards
freedom.
o Played an active role in invasion
both in the America and in
Mexico.

5. Seven Myths of the Spanish conquest:
Chapter 7
This myth centers around
the perceptions held of the
"Apes and Men:
Natives by Spaniards during
the time of expansion. The Myth of Superiority"
The Spaniards felt a sense
of superiority due to their
more innovative weaponry
and saw the Natives as
merely barbarians incapable
of meeting such standards
of war combat.
Aspects of the time which
played to the Natives
weakness was the ability
survive illness and disease
and the fact that they were
by nature a much more
compassionate people.

6. Seven Myths of the Spanish conquest:
Epilogue
Cuauhtemoc’s Betrayal:
• As told from several different
points of view we see that
interpretation of all sides is
extremely different, which in
the end gives us no real
historical reason for
Cuauhtemoc’s demise.
• Most accounts come from the
Spaniard point of view
creating too much of a bias to
result in a truth. Especially
given that one account from
the Maya contradicts Cortes
having any part of initiating
the events.