Differences Between and Among Spanish and Indian Accounts essays

Differences Between and Among Spanish and Indian Accounts essays Daniel Defoes famous quote on death and taxes presents the assurance that there are only two inevitabilities in life. He did not take into account however, the complexities of the human mind. These complexities allow for individualism and distinct perspectives on innumerable subjects. This is as true now as it was 2000 years ago. Repeated events in history have presented numerous viewpoints on the same event regardless of the origin of the source. Such an example can be seen in the several accounts on the conquest of Mexico, given by both natives and Spaniards. Not only are there obvious differences between the Spanish and native accounts, but more surprisingly, there are also distinct differences within each of these two groups of accounts. One would expect that unquestionably there would be differences between the accounts of the native peoples and the accounts of the Spanish during the years of the conquest of Mexico. To put it simply, the views of the conqueror and the conquered would not have been similar. When reading the account of Bernal Diaz, one should notice the many references to God during the battles. May good fortune attend our advance, for in God lies the true strength (Diaz, 105). Statements such as these are common throughout Diazs account. Diaz and the Spaniards attempt to justify the brutal killing of the Tlaxcalans by spewing self-righteous slogans at one another. They presume that their destruction is the will of God and therefore should be executed. This self-righteous and condescending attitude is not presented in the native accounts which could be attributed to the fact that they were conquered and have no opportunity to present this attitude in their accounts. Such differences would be expecte d however, as opposing factions would have differing feelings and opinions on the same event as it affects them separately. Another difference between the Spanish and native accounts is the trea...