Histories of Infamy torrent

Author(s): Cristian A. Roa-de-la-Carrera
Publisher: University Press of Colorado
Date: 2005-12-01
Format: pdf
Language: English
ISBN10: 0870818139
Pages: 288
ISBN13: 9780870818134

In Histories of Infamy, Cristian Roa-de-la-Carrera explores Francisco Lopez de Gomara’s (1511-ca.1559) attempt to ethically reconcile Spain’s civilizing mission with the conquistadors’ abuse and exploitation of Native peoples.

The most widely read account of the conquest in its time, Gomara\'s Historia general de las Indias y Conquista de Mexico rationalized the conquistadors\' crimes as unavoidable evils in the task of bringing \"civilization\" to the New World. Through an elaborate defense of Spanish imperialism, Gomara aimed to convince his readers of the merits of the conquest, regardless of the devastation it had wrought upon Spain\'s new subjects.

Despite his efforts, Gomara\'s apologist text quickly fell into disrepute and became ammunition for Spain\'s critics. Evaluating the effectiveness of ideologies of colonization, Roa-de-la-Carrera\'s readable analysis will fascinate readers and scholars interested in the history of the Americas.