Cabeza De Vaca Thesis

Cabeza de Vaca, a Spanish explorer, was raised with a strict colonial mindset, due to his service in the Spanish army at a young age. Thus, he joined the Conquest of Mexico, leaving his homeland of Spain with five ships to obtain gold and territory, similar to a vast amount of other explorers in this era. This expedition played a huge role in de Vaca’s life, hence foreshadowing the transformation of his views on many circumstances that were yet to come, one being the Native Americans.

On his journey to the New World, Cabeza de Vaca’s fleet felt the wrath of a hurricane, consequently resulting him and his crew to obtain a new vessel, which they continued their voyage nearing Florida. Due to starvation and thirst, many members who joined de

Vaca on this expedition died, this was also due to the fact that the members on this voyage were split between the land and sea forces. Hence, miscommunication and a lack of geographical knowledge stirred up a disaster, a disaster which would alter Cabeza de Vaca’s life as he knew it.
Almost eighty percent of the members were deceased, diseases were to blame for this.

Building simple rafts, using their clothing as sails, De Vaca, and what was left of the explorers, parted Florida. With barely any food left to consume, Cabeza de Vaca and what was left of the crew, made it to a coast near Galveston Island in Texas. De Vaca soon became quiet ill in the winter, thus residing on the mainland where many though he died. Only three of his members remained alive, the others either died or were attacked by Indians. Still living and recovering from his illness, de Vaca became a Texas merchant, and began trading items such as sea shells. He received food in exchange for treating the sick Indians, he even used his catholic religion to cure them, but when he refused to aid them, they took away his source

food.
Cabeza de Vaca lived among the Indians for six years, with his time spent with these peoples, he realized the immense amount of compassion they encompassed, and how they took care of him as their own when he was in urgent need of it. This ultimately reformed de Vaca’s perception on Native Americans, no longer viewing them as savages, but as individuals whose culture was quiet impeccable. He also conveyed that they had their own civilization, and how clever these natives actually were, they knew more than he did, thus acknowledging their intelligence.
Still loyal to his religion and the Spaniard colonization, de Vaca knew his time with the Indians was coming to a close, and that he needed to travel back to Spain.

De Vaca knew the title of a conquistador was no longer what he would be referenced to. This exemplifies de Vaca’s way of distancing himself from what he once believed was a title of honor, but after what he’s faced, and the natives he’s encountered on this expedition, he knew better than to be called one.

Travelling to the North of Mexico, de Vaca encountered some Spaniards along the way, but was livid when he discovered that these Spaniards were enslaving Indians. Thus, he tried negotiating with these men, which halted their actions for the time being. De Vaca, spoke to the King himself when he returned to Spain, stating that the only way to get through to the Indians was through compassion, not by harshness. He argued for their rights, something which before would’ve been absurd coming out of his mouth. His companions would vouch for him, due to their experience as

well.
Cabeza De Vaca illustrates what change overtime does to oneself. Craving gold and land was all he desired before this expedition, but overtime uncertain events prevailed themselves, and de Vaca’s entire perception of life changed. Cruelness was replaced by kindness, and his view on natives changed drastically, despite his background, hence this is why Cabeza de Vaca is an admirable figure in history.