Influence Of Hernando Pizarro On The Conquest Of The Incas

1607 Words4 Pages

Tom Nowakowski

11/13/14

HI-324

Dr. Schandler

Hernando Pizarro on the Conquest of the Incas

This is a source from Francisco Pizarro’s brother, Hernando Pizarro. Both Francisco and Hernando were Spanish conquistadors known for their conquest of the Inca Empire in the 16th c. This source provides a description of the Pizarro brother's travels throughout the empire, along with their observations and thoughts about Incan society, and the current status quo of the Amerindian empire. In addition, it seeks to provide an accurate account of their explorations to counteract the false narratives that have been told to Spanish authorities.

Hernando begins this source by stating this his brother established the settlement …show more content…

Both conquistadors came with a lust for gold and other precious metals; this was not only for their own personal gain but also for that of the empire’s state coffers. The origin for this obsession with New World gold had begun earlier though, beginning with Columbus’ insatiable appetite for the precious metal. Both conquistadors came with a mission to claim lands for their king, as they believed that their king was entitled to all the lands of the world. Both conquistadors sought to convert local populations to Christianity; they looked upon native religions as nothing than immoral polytheistic practices. Therefore, they thought that they had the duty to guide them to what they perceived to be the correct religion. This meant officially stamping out native religious practices and committing actions like destroying temple statues and burning their holy books. In addition, the colonizers carried out the construction of Christian churches, along with mission centers whose job it was to convert the local native populations. Additionally, both conquistadors were utterly ruthless if their demands were not met; this included employing the use of multiple violent tactics to assert their …show more content…

The Pizarro brothers deemed their actions to be justifiable in the name of the crown; this included the desire to secure lands and gold for the crown, and to convert those who weren’t Christian. Along the way, Hernando Pizarro documented many aspects of the new lands he explored, including their geography, people, customs, and cultures. These explorations only motivated the Spanish for more conquest and more gold, resources, and labor. They would not be satisfied under they could dominate as much of the New World as they could. They were determined to achieve such an aspiration through virtually any means possible, even if that meant violence. In turn, this influenced other European powers to do the same, including in what’s now the United States. Early New World expeditions and conquests like those of the Pizarro brothers effectively sealed the New World’s

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