Sunday, April 22, 2012

Week 14


While reading this weeks section of Stern's book, I was also reflecting on our class discussion on the idea of a complete or incomplete conquest. After doing the reading, I would say that the conquest was not complete in the sense of the Spanish dominating and completely erasing the Andean way of life, it was an adaptation of the two culture's to each other that created something new, and was brought upon by the Spanish attempts to dominate in all aspects.
The Spanish and the Andeans had to learn to work together and establish alliances, that both groups could benefit from. For example, on page 121 "…the 'protector of natives' enjoyed social influence and attracted offers of bribes by virtues of his capacity to represent the natives aggressively." 
The Andeans also had to find a way to make this new social structure that was Spanish dominated work for them and search for ways in which to defend their labor, land and tribute issues. It was not a complete conquest because alliances were necessary in all areas in order for the economy to continue to be productive.

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