Spanish Rule in Mexico and Vasco da Gama in the Indian Ocean

Spanish Rule in Mexico and Vasco da Gama in the Indian Ocean
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Spanish Rule in Mexico and Vasco da Gama in the Indian Ocean
Spanish Rule in Mexico
During the late 1520s, there were increased European activities in various parts of the world. The development of ships such as carracks and natural sources of energy like coal gave most Europeans an upper hand in exploring the outside world. Amongst the European groups are the Spaniards who took their way to the Americas (Marshall, 2018). At first, the Spaniards had no intentions of establishing colonial rule in America; however, the Portuguese' involvement in the American coast, who were so oriented in demonstrating their power, gave the Spaniards in starting up their own rule. The Portuguese conquered most of the American coast while the Spaniards took the lead of the interior.
Amongst the things that attracted the Spaniards to Aztec was the topography of Aztec's land. Firstly, the Aztecs were situated on an island that was surrounded by swamps and rivers. Therefore, they had a security advantage as most powers could barely launch an attack on them. This also helped Aztec conquer most of the dominions around them. Among other factors that attracted the Spaniards to Mexico's interior was the economic bases of these cities. These cities, such as Aztec, were situated in a good climate where other areas such as the Valley of Mexico were heavy rainfall. Reliable weather such as heavy rainfall paved the way for other factors such as siltation, which brought all the fertile soil from the lakes to Mexico's interior (Nemser, 2017). Fertile soils motivated Mexicans to perform agriculture where they used methods such as floating garden systems. Additionally, the availability of ample food from agriculture fostered a population explosion, which consequently led to further urbanization, and later, a central government system was established. Lastly, sociopolitical ideologies such as imperialism among the native Mexican cities such as Aztecs; hence the Spaniards took this as a complementary factor for establishing their rule.
The first city to be established was Cabildo, which Cortes set. After this successful establishment, Cortes was motivated to conquer Mexico's whole in the name of Charles I of Spain. Therefore, he pushed to the interior with 500 European soldiers and began destroying more cities, all of them being motivated by the wealthy realm that Mexico was claimed to be. On the other hand, Aztec ruler Montezuma took Cortes as a god; hence he offered no resistance during the subjugation of part of the Aztec's dominion. Nevertheless, Cortes took advantage of this and conquered more parts of Aztec until Montezuma realized that Cortes was his foe.
Additionally, Cortes also realized that European men could die together with their horses, unlike his prior thoughts, which took the Europeans as divine beings (Benton, 2017). The Spaniards established their rule with sophisticated weapons such as steel swords, body armor, and muskets. These deadly European diseases affected most Mexicans who did not even have a cure and Cortes interpreters' presence such as Marina, who understand the Mexican language. Additionally, the Mexicans were divided against each other hence the Spaniards used some of them as allies against other Mexicans. By the 18th century, the Spaniards had gain control over Mexico and had established as their colonial rule.
Effects of Spanish Rule
Positive Effects
After establishment, the Spaniards gained control over Mexico's resources, including mines, lands, soils, rivers, and even parks. After getting into possession of the Mexican lands, the Spaniards invested in farming, thereby boosting their trading position. Additionally, the mines provided mineral resources such as gold, diamond, and coal to trade with other European countries (Benton, 2017). Mining of coal also helped the Spaniards improve their transport systems by building advanced locomotives in Mexico and establishing ships that used coal in place of wind. Mexico's conquering motivated Spain to conquer other countries such as the Philippines in Asia and Morocco in Africa.
While the Spaniards benefitted from Mexico's resources, the native Mexicans also gained advantages during the colonial rule. Firstly, the Spanish government's establishment led to the development of advanced technology, especially transport systems that led to mining and farming sites (Nemser, 2017). Secondly, they benefited from the introduction of Christianity, which fostered peace and acknowledgment of human value, unlike their previous religion of Huitzilopochtli, which advocated for killing people, especially prisoners, for their god to receive sacrifices.
Negative Effects
For the Spaniards, tremendous deaths were resulting from tropical diseases that attacked most of the Europeans. Additionally, most Europeans died due to resistance from the present native Mexicans, thereby shifting their death toll at a higher number. On the other hand, the Mexicans faced most of the adverse effects resulting from Spanish rule. Firstly, they lost their traditions due to adopting Christianity and the civilization that the Spanish introduced (Nemser, 2017). Secondly, most Mexicans died from the resistance wars and even lost their lands to the Spaniards, who did not give anything in return. Thirdly, the Spaniards introduced the Encomienda system that enslaved most Mexicans in the large plantations that the Spanish cultivated. Lastly, new diseases were...