Summary Of Matthew Restall's Seven Myths Of Spanish Conquest

Seven Myths of Spanish Conquest
Book review

Anais Nin once said that “we write to taste life twice: in the moment and in retrospection.” In his book, Seven Myths of Spanish Conquest, Matthew Restall tries to change our perception of the past in other to open our eyes to what life was really like during the colonial period. As Restall puts it, the main propose of the book is to “illustrate the degree to which the Conquest was a far more complex and protracted affair” (p.154) than what was supposed in the latters and chronicles left by the conquistadores. Each one of Restall’s chapters examines one of seven myths regarding the mystery behind the conquest. By doing so, Matthew Restall forces us to look back at the Spanish conquest and question

our current view of the proceedings.
The first chapter of the book is titled “ A Handful of Adventurers, The Myth of Exceptional Men” brings to question the idea that conquest of the new world, was due to a great accomplishment by a feel “exceptional man”.

He brings out the idea that past Historians saw the action of a few men, as heroic act. In other to convey his point of view, Restall brings up examples of theses exceptional man. The first person he mentions is Christopher Columbus. According to him Columbus was not exceptional or unique, he was just at the right place at the right time. As Restall puts it, the most exceptional thing about Columbus’ geographical vision was that it was wrong.” (p.27). Restall explains that Columbus based his ideas on patterns visualized by previous Portuguese Geographer. Columbus initially set out to find a shorter route to India when he stumbled upon a new land. He also brings up Cortes, who is known for the probonza de merito, which is a system that would give rewards to conquistadores for their great accomplishments. With this example, Restall shows that by that the conquistadores had encouragement to omit the negatives and enhance the positive aspects of their daily lives. With this entire different example, Restall show that exaggeration concealed the conquistadores failures making them to be

exceptional.
Next, Restall proceeds on to “Neither paid or forced, The Myth of the Kings Army”.

In this chapter, he is bringing light to our current vision that the conquistadores were hand picked by the king in other to serve a greater propose. According to Restall the “Army” we know today was not created until the late 17th century. Through out this paragraph, Restall shows, that this myth was also brought to life trough narratives and letters. Many, if not all were regular men, without military experience. He uses of a historical time line to prove that it was not until after the military revolution that the Spanish started speaking of conquistadores as solders. In this chapter, Restall mentioned that the conquistadores were merchants, artisans and farmers that saw in the new world a chance to change their life and the way they live. Most of them were not directed or funded by the

king.
The third myth presented by Restall is “Invisible Warriors, The Myth of the white Conquistador”. In this chapter he questions the authenticity of the chronicles, which tells the stories of how a hand full of conquistadores defeated hundreds of natives. The most common believe is that the Spanish had superior weapons, but Restall goes deeper when analyzing the facts. According to him, the Spanish were so successful due to ther impeccable timing. They arrived during a civil war, which help then gain allies. Restall used of specific example of battles to show how Natives, Africans and Spaniard fought side by side in other to seek wealth and power.
Another Myth Restall talks about on his book is “Under the Laborship of the King, the Myth of Completion.” Here, Restall questions the idea that the conquest was fully effective in all the America. He uses of historical chronicles and document to show that not only the conquistadores failed to concur some areas but also they used of probanzas to cover up their failures. Restall says, Spanish control over the larger area that would become modern Mexico was virtually nonexistent (p.93), A vast area of land was left unconquered, there was also revolution against the crown that went unspoken.
The fifth myth “The Lost Words of La Malinche, The Myth of (Miss) Communications” debates the way Spanish and natives communicated. He questions the current believe that they were able to communicate fully and effectively. According to Restall the natives were not in disadvantage for not being able to speak read or write like the Spaniard, due to the fact that they had translators. This leads right into the next two chapter that talks about “The Indians are Coming to an End, The Myth of Desolation” as well as “Apes and Men, The Myth of Superiority”. These two myths explore the idea that the Spanish looked down upon the native, like child and that they saw the conquest as a divine act. Restall then proceed to say that even though the natives
May have accepted the Spanish way of life, they still maintained they own culture. He also points out that both cultures merged together to create something unique.
Restall starts each one of the chapters with quotes from famous historians that relate in one way or another to the Myth he is about to present. This foreshadowing for the subject he is about to talk about, gets the audience thinking about their own view in the subject even before Restall introduces his view. He uses of illustrations when possible, which facilitate the audience to picture what he is trying to portrait. The most interesting thing about this book is the way the ideas are presented. Restall starts each chapter introducing what the current belief is then he precedes to explaining his point of view. He uses of quotes form famous conquistadores, exerts from chronicles as well historical documents, and letter written by the conquistadores themselves to prove his view. One thing to watch out for is his excessive use of quotes and in text citation. Restall uses a lot of blended quotes, which can distract its audience form the main point being discussed.
In conclusion, the book Seven Myths of Spanish Conquest by Matthew Restal looks in the colonial period with fresh eyes. It questions the events without any bias. He finds a middle grown between what he believes it true and what it has been said before. Backing it up with example and facts. In this book, Restall successfully proves that the conquest was not just a great act of a feel, in other to bring culture and religion to a primitive society. He proves that the natives were a well-developed society and without their help, the Spanish would have not succeeded.