Students Must Submit One Of These Essay Topics In Paragraph

Students Must Submit One Of These Essay Topics In Paragraph Form Throu

Students must submit one of these essay topics in paragraph form through the Assignments Tab if Canvas by the deadline specified in the Syllabus and in Assignments. It is worth fifty points. The essay should be 1 1/2 to 2 pages in length (approximately words). Be sure to cite properly, as per the MLA Format every time that any information is directly copied (and quotation marks are needed), paraphrased (writing someone else’s ideas in your own words) or for any facts that are not common knowledge (like “the sky is blue”). Be sure to provide a works cited section with a bibliographic citation of each source used; be sure to include the Date Accessed is the date that YOU previewed a particular website or watched a Youtube video because website/video content can change.

As per the syllabus, students must use a minimum of two sources that are to be cited in the body of the essay as well as the works cited section to be graded. Please consult the syllabus for more information. The textbook is an acceptable source for both of the identification terms: David Shi, America: A Narrative History, Volume 1, Eleventh Edition. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2019.

Essay 1 (From Chapter 1) asks: What factors enabled the Spanish to conquer the Aztec and Incan empires in Central and South America with relative ease in the 16th Century? Write an introductory paragraph briefly summarizing the conquest of one of these two empires. Then, write a paragraph about the Spanish advantages in military technology, followed by a paragraph about biological factors such as animals used by the Spanish and the effects of disease on Native Americans. Use specific examples of leaders (both Spanish and Native American), weapons, diseases, and events to support your case. Conclude with a paragraph summarizing this information and adding your own thoughts and ideas.

Paper For Above instruction

The Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire in the early 16th century exemplifies a combination of military, biological, and technological advantages that facilitated their rapid and largely uncontested conquest. Led by Hernán Cortés, the Spanish arrived in 1519, quickly overpowering the formidable Aztec civilization centered at Tenochtitlán. Cortés’s strategic alliances with rival tribes, combined with advanced weaponry and superior military tactics, played crucial roles in weakening Aztec resistance. The fall of Tenochtitlán in 1521 marked a pivotal moment in New World history, driven by a mixture of military prowess and exploitative strategies.

One major factor that contributed to the Spanish success was their advanced military technology. Spanish conquistadors possessed steel weapons, including swords, lances, and armor, which were far superior to the wooden and obsidian tools used by the Aztecs. According to Ian Harvey (2017), the use of muskets and cannons provided the Spanish with a significant firepower advantage, allowing them to inflict devastating losses on the Aztec forces from a distance. Moreover, the Spanish wrought iron armor and steel swords rendered Aztec defenses less effective in close combat, giving the conquistadors a decisive edge. The combination of these technological advantages allowed the Spanish to dominate battlefield engagements and intimidate native warriors.

Biological factors also played a vital role in the Spanish conquest. The introduction of horses by the conquistadors revolutionized warfare, providing mobility and psychological advantage over the native armies, which had never seen such animals before. Kings and Generals (2018) details how horses allowed Spanish forces to outmaneuver Aztec warriors, who relied on foot soldiers. Additionally, the devastating impact of European diseases, especially smallpox, decimated Native American populations who had no immunity. The outbreak of smallpox, as documented by Lion Television (2005), killed millions, including key leaders and warriors, sowing chaos and weakening resistance. The mortality rate created an environment where the Spanish could advance with less opposition, further facilitating their conquest.

In conclusion, the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire was enabled by a combination of technological superiority, biological factors, and strategic alliances. The advanced weaponry and armor gave the conquistadors a clear battlefield advantage, while the introduction of horses and the catastrophic impact of European diseases destroyed native societal structures and demoralized the Aztecs. These factors worked in tandem to allow a relatively small Spanish force to overcome a powerful and populous empire. Reflecting on these events, it becomes evident that European technological and biological advantages played a pivotal role in shaping the course of history in the Americas.

References

• Harvey, Ian. “Spanish Conquistadores used advanced armor and weaponry to their advantage.” The Vintage News, 3 Feb. 2017.
• Kings and Generals. “Aztecs: Arrival of Cortes and the Conquistadores.” 11 Oct. 2018.
• Kings and Generals. “Spanish Conquest of the Incan Empire.” 7 June 2018.
• Lion Television. “Guns, Germs, and Steel Variables: Smallpox.” 2005.
• History.com Editors. “Aztec capital falls to Cortes.” History, 19 Aug. 2019.
• History.com Editors. “Pizarro Executes the Last Inca Emperor.” History, 27 July 2019.
• Jocz Productions. “Bacon’s Rebellion APUSH Review.” 9 June 2014.
• McCulley, Susan and Loux, Len. “Bacon’s Rebellion.” NPS.gov, 26 Feb. 2015.
• Blakemore, Erin. “Bacon’s Rebellion: Why America’s First Colonial Rebels Burned Jamestown to the Ground.” 8 Aug. 2019.
• Shi, David. America: A Narrative History, Volume 1. 11th ed., W.W. Norton & Company, 2019.