The "Black Legend" of the Spanish conquest and occupation of the New World has long shaded perceptions of European colonization in Latin America. Charles Gibson, in his ground-breaking study closely considers the social, political and economic effects of Spanish rule on the indigenous population. It is an exhaustive and detailed study that altered perceptions of this period of Latin American history. Originally published in 1964, _The Aztecs Under Spanish Rule_ has aged well, although more recent scholarship has been conducted.
Of particular interest to me was Gibson's examination of Spanish missionary activity. Gibson points out that inital efforts at conversion were a failure - the Aztecs were willing to embrace the rituals of Christianity but struggled with the theological concepts behind them, in essence retaining their polytheistic views. This, in effect was a microcosm of the larger changes the Spanish brought with them: Aztec institutions and structures were swept away and replaced with Spanish structures, but these changes were initially superficial, the process of "Hispanicization" taking generations.
The overlay of Spanish administration on existing pre-Columbian political organization was also fascinating, given the nature and objectives of the conquest. Gibson points out that in the 150 years following the arrival of the Spanish was the deterioration of a native empire and the fragmentation of a civilization. In other words, the imperial structure of the Aztecs was swept away, but there followed a synthesis of Spanish and indigenous civilizations. Naturally when two complex societies itertwine there will be political, economic and social winners and losers - what Gibson shows (and what was suprizing to me) was the relative lack of Spanish impact on the Aztecs at the social level.
The history here is richly detailed and provides an abundance of data (primarily from tax records), but there is a glaring absence of personal anecdotes - the personal stories that are illustrative of larger events that breathe life into history. This is to the book's detriment. I was also disappointed, given the level of scholarship demonstrated here, that greater attention wasn't paid to the epidemics that followed the arrival of the Europeans. When it is discsused, it is largely in an economic context rather than a sociological or epidemiological context.
While a bit dated, _The Aztecs Under Spanish Rule_ is a fascinating and detailed account of the first 150 years of Spanish rule in Mexico. The general reader will probably waant to pick and choose through the text such is its depth, but it remains an outstanding history.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
