History Questions (Coursework Sample)

1.Please discuss the 3 major Pre-Columbian cultures (Mayan, Aztec, Incan), describe their attributes, and how their presence might have affected later colonizati
The pre Columbian, Mayan, Aztec and Incan had rich cultures that influenced colonization later. Besides the people having a rich culture, great architectural designs and craft work, they were brutal. They lived in constant war. They also had gods who were impossible to satiate. The Aztec also had great craft skills. They kept blood thirsty gods. These forced them to kill people to appease their gods. Finally the Incans were good agriculturalists. They occupied a fertile land. The three pre-Columbian cultures affected their colonization in a more similar way. Since they were organized kingdoms with rich resources the Spaniards were interested in their land and the resources. The Spaniards also thought that the Mayan and Aztec cultures were very aggressive and in human and needed to be stopped (Kientz, 2009).
2. Please discuss the history and culture of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain, Portugal) prior to conquests in the Americas, and how it impacted colonization.
 
The Iberian Peninsula had a distinct culture and rich history that shaped Spain and Portugal. They had unique culture in society, politics and religion. Their society was divided between social class that defined the noble family and commoners. The main religion was Christianity and other religions were oppressed. It could sometimes engage in war to liberate the south of Iberian Peninsula from other religions. They had a strong political system. The political systems later started moving from feudalism to central government. During this period the government needed more money and tax hence it began to stretch to get hold of more resources. This is what led to the culture of colonization of the Spaniards. Their culture of building their country and stretching to be wider necessitated the growth. Their adventurous culture also contributed to the exploration of earlier people like Columbus (Kientz, 2009).
3. Discuss the conquests of the Aztec and Incan empires. 
The Incan empire had established their strong political system. After the discovery of Peru by the Spaniards, they first of all entered as gospel spreaders who were trying to convince Atahualpa the king of Incas about the bible. They gave Atahualpa a bible telling him everything was there. When Atahualpa declined to cooperate, they kidnapped him. Later they bargained for the exchange of gold with Atahualpa, but breached the deal of freeing him. They instead killed him, when they received the gold. At the same time smallpox had hit the empire killing people and ripping it apart. The Spaniard military superiority and disadvantage of concurrence of small pox outbreak left the Incas helpless. The Aztecs welcomed the Spaniards but realized too late that they were inviting trouble. Spaniards brought with them small pox which hit the Aztecs. The Spaniards received military help from the Indians who hated Aztec rulers; they were able to conquer and make the Aztecs their colonies.
4. What was the nature and significance of the Catholic Church in the Spanish conquests in the Americas.
 
The Catholic Church played an important role in conquering the Americas. The Church was one of the main arms issuing directives to explorers. Spaniards believed the Catholic so much that it acted authoritatively. Many explorers e.g. Columbus believed to be ordained by the church. The power of Catholic Church is evident as earlier colonists went to America as missionaries. Atahualpa for example was attacked and 200 of his soldiers murdered when he could not respect the bible. The Catholic Church forced the conversion of Indians in South America before they could even be considered people. The Spaniards went to war and killed parties that objected their rule and Christianity as a directive from the church. The destruction of Aztecs which had a benefit to Spaniards was give...