The initial reading assignments from History 120 at Diablo Valley College, which reference 1600-1877, have enlightened me to one very clear fact. There are two sides to the historical facts printed for all to read. There is no greater example than the polar opinions of the history as it relates to Christopher Columbus. Could it have been greed which turned a long voyage to discover a route to Asia and an abundance of gold into an Indian slaughter? If successful, Ferdinand and Isabella were willing to give Columbus a cut of the profit, governorship over the newfound lands, and the title: Admiral of the Ocean Sea. (Zinn 4). In his efforts to please Ferdinand and Isabella and to hide the fact that there was no gold, he enslaved and ultimately annihilated an entire population of Arawak Indians after landing on the coast of the Bahamas. Yet, in elementary school we celebrate Columbus Day as one of the most exciting moments in the history of America with no mention of the cruelties he displayed towards the peaceful people who already occupied the land that he supposedly discovered. With this said, I will describe another historical moment in reference to a statement from Zinn’s People’s History, “…to anticipate a possible future without denying the past, it should, I believe, emphasize new possibilities by disclosing those hidden episodes of the past…” (Zinn 11) For what could be any more heart wrenching than the atrocities committed by Columbus, are the atrocities of the many explores that followed his lead.
The enslaving, murdering, and maiming are the same. The difference is the name of the explorer and the location of the events. It was 1598 and Juan de Oñate and a group of 400 soldiers conquered and then colonized New Mexico making it the first permanent settlement by Europeans in the present day United States. The Pueblo Indians already occupied this area of the southwest. They were kind to the Spaniards and helped them by offering food, clothing, and shelter so that they could survive. In return, the Spaniards enslaved, tortured and killed the Pueblo Indians. When the Indians fought back, Oñate and his soldiers became even crueler towards the Acoma people. At one point he made the decision to cut off the left foot of all men over the age of 25 years. (An explorer) According to Foner, “Oñate’s message was plain—any Indians who resisted Spanish authority would be crushed” (31). Yet some historians refer to him as the founding father of New Mexico. While others question how he could be the founding father if indigenous people had occupied the land for thousands of years before his arrival. Once again, the Europeans need for conquest resulted in the brutal treatment of the people that already peacefully inhabited the land.
The enslaving, murdering, and maiming are the same. The difference is the name of the explorer and the location of the events. It was 1598 and Juan de Oñate and a group of 400 soldiers conquered and then colonized New Mexico making it the first permanent settlement by Europeans in the present day United States. The Pueblo Indians already occupied this area of the southwest. They were kind to the Spaniards and helped them by offering food, clothing, and shelter so that they could survive. In return, the Spaniards enslaved, tortured and killed the Pueblo Indians. When the Indians fought back, Oñate and his soldiers became even crueler towards the Acoma people. At one point he made the decision to cut off the left foot of all men over the age of 25 years. (An explorer) According to Foner, “Oñate’s message was plain—any Indians who resisted Spanish authority would be crushed” (31). Yet some historians refer to him as the founding father of New Mexico. While others question how he could be the founding father if indigenous people had occupied the land for thousands of years before his arrival. Once again, the Europeans need for conquest resulted in the brutal treatment of the people that already peacefully inhabited the land.
In 1606, following these atrocities, Oñate was ordered back to Mexico City where he was convicted of cruelty to both Indians and colonists. An appeal cleared him of all charges. This chapter in history occurred just over 400 years ago and it was the planned celebration of this anniversary in 1998 that rekindled the debate over whether Juan de Oñate was a hero or a murderer. If you happen to travel down highway 68 in New Mexico, you can stop at the Oñate Monument Visitors Center where you will see the actual statue of the one pictured in this blog. Not surprising, someone cut off the left foot of the statue and left a note saying, “Fair is fair” (Juan de Oñate).
Explorers did not just conquer land. They conquered the people who lived on the land that they wanted to claim. I have no doubt that as my history class continues; I will become aware of more such occurrences and controversies throughout the time span that I am studying.
Works Cited
Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty! An American History, Seagull Edition. New York: NY, 2009.
Juan de Oñate, “An explorer and early governor of the New Spain province of New Mexico.” http://www.lasculturas.com/lib/sd/blsd071098a.php
“Juan de Oñate.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 18 Jun 2009, accessed 27 Jun 2009 http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Juan_de_O%C3%B1ate&oldid=297209227.
Zinn, Howard. A People’s History of the United States. Abridged Teaching Edition. New York: NY, 1980.
Explorers did not just conquer land. They conquered the people who lived on the land that they wanted to claim. I have no doubt that as my history class continues; I will become aware of more such occurrences and controversies throughout the time span that I am studying.
Works Cited
Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty! An American History, Seagull Edition. New York: NY, 2009.
Juan de Oñate, “An explorer and early governor of the New Spain province of New Mexico.” http://www.lasculturas.com/lib/sd/blsd071098a.php
“Juan de Oñate.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 18 Jun 2009, accessed 27 Jun 2009 http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Juan_de_O%C3%B1ate&oldid=297209227.
Zinn, Howard. A People’s History of the United States. Abridged Teaching Edition. New York: NY, 1980.
