There were many differences between the way the Spanish wanted to colonize the world and how the English wanted to colonize the world. The Spanish were planning on taking over in a way of “domination”, and thought of the Indians as savages who were not worthy of their time. However, they also contradicted themselves in such a way as having their women marry Indian men because there were not enough Spanish men in the town. The English wanted to colonize based on freedom. Their concept of “moral” liberty. To the English moral liberty meant “A liberty to do only what is good.” (freedom, 25). They followed Christianity and believed that “a woman’s own choice makes such a man her husband; yet being so chosen, he is her lord, and she is to be subject to him, yet in a way of liberty, not bondage” (freedom, 27). This statement proves that the English were very faithful to the term or liberty or freedom unlike the Spanish who forced their women to marry people whom they believed were savage and unworthy.
Richard Hakluyt’s reasons for colonization were very clear. He thinks it would benefit the country as a whole. He claims that settlement in the new world would hit spain as if they didn’t know it was coming. He said that the Indians would be saved from “Catholicism and tyranny” (liberty, 56). The Indians were crying out for England’s help to get away from the Spaniards. Hakluyt also explained how trade would become not only the major element in the success of the British empire, but to every person within the country who did not have a job, for the opportunity to go to another country and “become somebody”.
Richard thinks that the Indians will welcome the English as bearers of liberty because they would be saving them from the Spanish. The Spanish people used the Indians as slaves and thought of them as less than people. Going into a new country and spreading the idea of liberty and freedom to the Indians was the best way to get them to abide by their rules. They do not know anything other than the ways of the Spanish so another regime coming to show them a better life would always be accepted.
About Me
- valerie.e
- Hi! My name is Valerie and i am a 21 year old Criminal Justice major. I am taking this class to complete my requirement for history and transfer to either Sac State or San Jose State next fall. I work full time, which is why i am taking an online class, and it always seems like there aren't enough hours in the day to get all of my work done. I look forward to doing well this semester and learning something new.
4 comments:
Although English views of liberty and freedom, coupled with Christianity, seemed better than the Spanish, ultimately it came down to Europe itself was claustrophobic and greedy. There were so many small countries, each one 'great' in it's own eyes. They wanted there piece of the pie, There is no difference between forcing someone to do what you want and asking them with no intention on accepting 'NO' for an answer. England was definitely the lesser of 2 evils, but they were always looking out for themselves first.
I think that the English were deffiantely coming to the new world for better reasons than the Spanish, but yet they mentioned that they wanted to come over and stop the spread of Catholicism. Makes you wonder what there real intentions where?
Even though the land was a very important part in colonization of the new world. Expansion of the trade abilities is what i believe was the most important part of the colonization. This allowed them to gain more wealth and put them in the races with Spain and France.
The conception of the Indians as "savages not worthy of their time" is not exactly right. This was spread as a rumor through the Black Legend and certainly the treatment of the Indians by the Spanish was often brutal, but they were actively involved in conversion and establishing a solid empire that included the Indians, so they were worth the time.
What does the idea of Christianity with a "woman's own choice makes such a man.....etc" have to do with English reasons to colonize? You are trying to compare it to the Spanish, but all it is doing is creating a moral judgment based on today's world and you do not want to do that. The English were not much better, if at all than the Spanish, they just took a different approach. So, no moral evaluations.
Instead, look at why the English wanted to colonize. What reasons did they give? What reasons had the Spanish gave? How are those different. If you look at it that way, then it is through history and events rather than moral judgments.
You also need to use the Voices of Freedom when discussing primary sources.
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