Seven Myths
of the
Spanish Conquest

By Matthew Restall

Christopher Columbus and the Great Age of Discovery
HIST 351  ~  Fall 2010

Introduction

Seven Myths of the Spanish Conquest is a study of myths related to the Spanish conquests in Central and South America. You will need to read the introduction carefully as in it the author gives you a foundation and context for understanding the rest of the book.

1. How is the term “myth” used in this book?

Chapter One:
A Handful of Adventurers:
The Myth of Exceptional Men.

1. What does Restall mean by “exceptional men?” Provide examples from the chapter.

2. What is the “Columbus Myth?”

3. What were the seven steps of the “conquest procedure?”

 
Terms

• Probanza
• Bernal Diaz
• Franciscans
• Myth of the burning ships
• Requirements
• Geronimo de Aguilar
• Malinche

Chapter Two:
Neither Paid nor Forced:
The Myth of the King’s Army.

1. What is the myth of the King’s army?

2. Was there such a thing as a typical conquistador and if so, how can he be described?

 
Terms

• Soldado
• Encomienda
• Patronage-based recruitment

Chapter Three:
Invisible Warriors: The Myth
of the White Conquistador.

1. What was the myth of the white conquistador?

2. Who were the invisible warriors and what was their role in the conquest?

 
Terms

• Tlaxcalans
• Juan Valiente
• Juan Garrido
• Pedro de Cieza de Leon
• Pregnano
• Porter

Chapter Four:
Under the Lordship of the King:
The Myth of Completion

1. What is the myth of completion?

2. How is the term “conquest” used in the context of the Spanish exploration and expansion into the Americas?

3. What were the seven dimensions of the incompleteness of the Spanish conquest?

4. Why did the Spanish insist on the completeness of their conquest?

 
Terms

• Adelantado
• Spiritual conquest

Chapter Five:
The Lost Words of La Malinche:
The Myth of (Mis)Communication.

1. What are the myths of communication and miscommunication?

2. What was Malinche’s role in the myth of (mis)communication?

3. How did their role as interpreters affect the social status of native interpreters?

4. What does Restall consider to be the role of writing and written communication in the conquest of the Americas?

 
Terms

• Dona Marina
• Tzvetan Todorov
• Garsilaso de la Vega
• Double Mistaken Identity

Chapter Six:
The Indians Are Coming to an End:
The Myth of Native Desolation

1. What was the myth of native desolation?

2. What is the myth of apotheosis?

3. What were the seven indicators of post-conquest native vitality?

 
Terms

• Teules
• Quetzalcoatl
• Viracocha
• Captain Cook

Chapter Seven:
Apes and Men:
The Myth of Superiority

1. What is the myth of superiority?

2. What are the five mythic explanations of the conquest?

3. What are the five antimythic explanations of the conquest?

4. What is meant by the “culture of war?"

Epilogue:
Cuauhtemoc’s Betrayal

1. Who was Cuauhtemoc?

2. What are the four perspectives on the death of Cuauhtemoc?

3. How do the myths of the death of Cuauhtemoc relate to the seven myths of the Spanish conquest?