Thomas Paine's The Age of Reason is a very interesting text in my opinion. Paine gives a total opinion against the most published book in the history of the world and expects people to agree with the text. This was to say the least, radical, for his time. Now, however, we look at this pamphlet to learn about multiple things that have nothing to do with the original goal of the author when he was writing it. Thomas Pain wrote this revolutionary pamphlet before being sent off to prison, thinking he was going to be killed. Without a Bible, he challenged the institutionalized religion and legitimacy of the book. Of course this did not go over well at the time, but now is looked at as an educational piece.
I believe one good reason to study The Age of Reason is because one can look at the perspective of a radical piece in history and how it has been viewed over time throughout history. Thomas Paine included deistic arguments that lead to some free thinkers to follow the pamphlet. This is very different from today, how Paine sent out a paper pamphlet to gain followers. In this day in age, I believe there a couple of different ways Thomas Paine could have voiced his views to a mass audience. One way would be through social networking on the internet. With these networks it is easy to distribute views with pages and groups. Also using the internet, Paine could have written a blog or newsletter and sent it out. However, I am not sure if this would be as effective as the third way he could voice his opinion, which is media. With a movie or music, Paine would be able to gain interest from wide varieties of people and probably gain momentum. It's crazy to think about how quickly Paine's views would be spread with today's media market.
Another good way to study Paine's pamphlet is to look at the style of the text. For his time, Paine was considered a great writer, and his works can be looked at from a purely linguistic way. He used a straight forward style that was much different than most at the time. When you read The Age of Reason you tend to catch yourself immersing in the text and the beliefs it presents. The pamphlet is persuasive without the reader even noticing it. I think this really contributed to how known the work came to be and why we are still studying now at Temple.
Thomas Paine put out this pamphlet to voice his own opinion, thinking he was going to be killed in the near future. For this, the views are radical and passionate. However, the Age of Reason is still being studied today for the linguistic elements it contains and what it can teach us about history. Being the last book we read for Mosaics, I think it is interesting to leave it on a note of someone writing with nothing to lose. As radical as Paine might have been, he would probably be pretty normal today.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Daodejing and The Bible (Genesis)
Although I have not studied the Bible throughout my life, I have looked at it critically in two of my classes now at Temple. I find the difference of thoughts when reading for worship or for study very interesting. Along with this, the Bible can be taken in many alternate ways other than the most common for each chapter. For the Daodejing, this promotes a specific way of knowing without actually searching for it. The Bible and Daodejing have similarities relating to the unit for the class, as well as differences in how they achieve this "way of knowing." One does not have to necessarily "believe" in these certain faiths, yet they can understand critically how each one is constructed.
The Bible is the most popular book in the world. It is the standard for Catholic/Christian faith and Genesis, also part of the Judaic faith. Genesis contains stories that are meant to exemplify what one is to do/not to do. This is a little different from Daodejing, because it uses stories, rather than direct text. The stories in Genesis can contain multiple meaning, and the reader can have their own opinions/thoughts on what it is trying to promote. One can see this in the first story of creation. There is an alternate story included right after the first story of creation. However, the stories are all there to support some kind of action/non action. This is a key opposite of Daodejing; the Daodejing promotes not doing anything to achieve a happy medium.
The Daodejing of Laozi, translated by Ivanhoe, is an interesting look into a totally different way of thinking and culture of another society. This was a new way of thought for me, and I believe is good to study/compare to cultures of today. It gives one a perspective of how ways of thinking has transformed throughout history. The key in Daodejing is doing nothing means everything. Without searching for happiness, one will achieve this by having a balanced life. The Dao is very adament on not striving for excess of anything. One will not achieve this balance if going on overboard on greed. This reminds me of the popular saying, "You can't always get what you want, but you get what you need." The Dao promotes having happiness with only what you need.
The Bible and Daodejing are very different texts and ways of knowing, however contain some similaraties in their purpose. The Bible uses stories to encourage the reader to follow the way of action in the text. The Dao also promotes a style of a way of knowing, yet it uses non-action to discover the Dao, or the happy medium of life. Both Genesis and Daodejing hope to help one achieve a positive way of knowing. They use action/non-action or non-pursuit of a happy middle ground in life. Through stories and/or suggestions, these to works are monumental in faiths and ways of knowing, and are why they should be included in the Mosaics curriculum.
The Bible is the most popular book in the world. It is the standard for Catholic/Christian faith and Genesis, also part of the Judaic faith. Genesis contains stories that are meant to exemplify what one is to do/not to do. This is a little different from Daodejing, because it uses stories, rather than direct text. The stories in Genesis can contain multiple meaning, and the reader can have their own opinions/thoughts on what it is trying to promote. One can see this in the first story of creation. There is an alternate story included right after the first story of creation. However, the stories are all there to support some kind of action/non action. This is a key opposite of Daodejing; the Daodejing promotes not doing anything to achieve a happy medium.
The Daodejing of Laozi, translated by Ivanhoe, is an interesting look into a totally different way of thinking and culture of another society. This was a new way of thought for me, and I believe is good to study/compare to cultures of today. It gives one a perspective of how ways of thinking has transformed throughout history. The key in Daodejing is doing nothing means everything. Without searching for happiness, one will achieve this by having a balanced life. The Dao is very adament on not striving for excess of anything. One will not achieve this balance if going on overboard on greed. This reminds me of the popular saying, "You can't always get what you want, but you get what you need." The Dao promotes having happiness with only what you need.
The Bible and Daodejing are very different texts and ways of knowing, however contain some similaraties in their purpose. The Bible uses stories to encourage the reader to follow the way of action in the text. The Dao also promotes a style of a way of knowing, yet it uses non-action to discover the Dao, or the happy medium of life. Both Genesis and Daodejing hope to help one achieve a positive way of knowing. They use action/non-action or non-pursuit of a happy middle ground in life. Through stories and/or suggestions, these to works are monumental in faiths and ways of knowing, and are why they should be included in the Mosaics curriculum.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
The Souls of Black Folk
W.E.B. DuBois provided arguably the first written history of African Americans in his book, The Souls of Black Folk. He creates the idea of a double consciousness stating, "It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others, of measuring one’s soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity." DuBois holds his own biased views about African Americans and how they should be treated and how they should act. He even challenges the likes of other African American advocates such as Malcolm X and Booker T. Washington.
I found DuBois' opinion on education and what African Americans should be learning was interesting. He argues against Booker T. Washington, and says that blacks should have classical education in addition to practical application education. Booker T. Washington thinks African Americans should focus on industrial education, while DuBois disagrees. W.E.B. DuBois also believes that there needs to be more black educators and leaders in society. He blames poor funding to African American education for increased gangs and crime rates.
Another intriguing idea from DuBois is the metaphor of the veil. The veil represents the view of the world for African Americans, as their view is different from white people. He believes these two views are vastly different, and the veil has both advantages and disadvantages. The veil is the color/race line and shows how blacks can see things differently within their own race, compared to how white people see them.
In addition, DuBois looks at the social interaction between African Americans and whites. He focuses on segregation and discrimination in society. W.E.B. DuBois compares much of the negative stereotypes of blacks such as being lazy, violent, and hard headed. For African Americans in the south to become economically prosperous, these stereotypes and the racial prejudice needs to be recognized. Then, blacks need to educate themselves, as mentioned earlier. One of the key points DuBois has is that African Americans need to acknowledge the problem of prejudice from the white people, and the white South acknowledge they are being prejudice. If both of these things happen, the two groups can work to resolve the issue, and the blacks can live more comfortably.
The last point that I was interested in with DuBois book is the chapter about the rise of the church in African American history. I found this reading fitting, because I visited the Church of the Advocate on 18th and Diamond Streets this past Friday. At this church, which is predominantly black, there are murals around the walls. These murals interpret African American history and the relationship between white and black people. I saw similarities between the ideas of DuBois and the paintings in the church. These ideas include rising up against segregation and standing up for the African American race.
W.E.B. DuBois focuses on many different things in his book, The Souls of Black Folk. Education for African Americans is an important part of his views. Also, the veil and the view of blacks through blacks' and whites' eyes is included. DuBois finally focuses on religion in African American history. DuBois' views were very influential for African Americans and still holds true today.
I found DuBois' opinion on education and what African Americans should be learning was interesting. He argues against Booker T. Washington, and says that blacks should have classical education in addition to practical application education. Booker T. Washington thinks African Americans should focus on industrial education, while DuBois disagrees. W.E.B. DuBois also believes that there needs to be more black educators and leaders in society. He blames poor funding to African American education for increased gangs and crime rates.
Another intriguing idea from DuBois is the metaphor of the veil. The veil represents the view of the world for African Americans, as their view is different from white people. He believes these two views are vastly different, and the veil has both advantages and disadvantages. The veil is the color/race line and shows how blacks can see things differently within their own race, compared to how white people see them.
In addition, DuBois looks at the social interaction between African Americans and whites. He focuses on segregation and discrimination in society. W.E.B. DuBois compares much of the negative stereotypes of blacks such as being lazy, violent, and hard headed. For African Americans in the south to become economically prosperous, these stereotypes and the racial prejudice needs to be recognized. Then, blacks need to educate themselves, as mentioned earlier. One of the key points DuBois has is that African Americans need to acknowledge the problem of prejudice from the white people, and the white South acknowledge they are being prejudice. If both of these things happen, the two groups can work to resolve the issue, and the blacks can live more comfortably.
The last point that I was interested in with DuBois book is the chapter about the rise of the church in African American history. I found this reading fitting, because I visited the Church of the Advocate on 18th and Diamond Streets this past Friday. At this church, which is predominantly black, there are murals around the walls. These murals interpret African American history and the relationship between white and black people. I saw similarities between the ideas of DuBois and the paintings in the church. These ideas include rising up against segregation and standing up for the African American race.
W.E.B. DuBois focuses on many different things in his book, The Souls of Black Folk. Education for African Americans is an important part of his views. Also, the veil and the view of blacks through blacks' and whites' eyes is included. DuBois finally focuses on religion in African American history. DuBois' views were very influential for African Americans and still holds true today.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Socrates, The Clouds, and Education
The Trials of Socrates, written by individuals on experiences of Socrates himself, are very interesting. They show different sides of Socrates with opinions of each writer. The text I found most intriguing is Clouds by Aristophanes. The setting is Athens in fifth century BCE. A key theme of the story is education, and symbols of this can be seen with the clouds, money, and quests. Clouds can represent Socrates argument. Handling money is a form of education. Finally, there is a quest for a quality education by Strepsiades to get out of his son, Pheidippides', debt.
The chorus of clouds are a symbol of information, similar to that of Socrates'. Socrates claims the clouds are pockets of water and energy, and they cause rain. The clouds contribute to the satire of the play because they represent the "fluff" that Socrates teaches to his pupils including Strepsiades and Pheidippides. Clouds are viewed as large and substantial in the sky, however they are nothing but thin vapor. This also relates to the unjust argument. This argument sounds very intellectual, however it is just pointless facts and has no specific use.
Money plays an important role in Clouds. Being in debt, Strepsiades is forced to find a way to repay it. This leads him to education and Socrates. Also, being educated with currency could have prevented Strepsiades from debt. If he didn't spoil Pheidippides with horses and spend money he did not have, Strepsiades wouldn't be in a bad position. The play is concerned with being current, relating to currency, and only spending money you have currently.
Quests are shown throughout Aristophanes' play. He first employs the "Thinkery" because it is the opposite of what he believes. Aristophanes himself is conservative and uses satire to get to his view of proper education. The quest to proper education stops at the Just Argument. This argument included both body and mind. The Just Argument provided a holistic experience and was respected, along with being well-rounded. However, Aristophanes doesn't totally end his quest at his ideal model. There are still problems with this argument, and he realizes this; he uses satire and makes the Just Argument a pedophile. Aristophanes understands that both the old and new ways of education should be criticized, allowing one to have a fair argument. The quest for proper education can always change, and a old system, left unseen, can lose its value when transferred to a new generation.
Socrates is described by Aristophanes as a scholar with a lot of tout in Clouds. His arguments are vague, yet learned by many. The importance of education can be seen in this play, supported by Aristophanes himself. Some symbols include the chorus of clouds, currency, and quests. The clouds, hence the title, are important in showing the fluff of the Unjust Argument. Currency and money education would have prevented Strepsiades from his problems with debt. Also, the quests, especially the one for proper education, is seen in the text by the different sets of arguments. Aristophanes presents Socrates as a educator and uses specific symbols to describe the concept of education.
The chorus of clouds are a symbol of information, similar to that of Socrates'. Socrates claims the clouds are pockets of water and energy, and they cause rain. The clouds contribute to the satire of the play because they represent the "fluff" that Socrates teaches to his pupils including Strepsiades and Pheidippides. Clouds are viewed as large and substantial in the sky, however they are nothing but thin vapor. This also relates to the unjust argument. This argument sounds very intellectual, however it is just pointless facts and has no specific use.
Money plays an important role in Clouds. Being in debt, Strepsiades is forced to find a way to repay it. This leads him to education and Socrates. Also, being educated with currency could have prevented Strepsiades from debt. If he didn't spoil Pheidippides with horses and spend money he did not have, Strepsiades wouldn't be in a bad position. The play is concerned with being current, relating to currency, and only spending money you have currently.
Quests are shown throughout Aristophanes' play. He first employs the "Thinkery" because it is the opposite of what he believes. Aristophanes himself is conservative and uses satire to get to his view of proper education. The quest to proper education stops at the Just Argument. This argument included both body and mind. The Just Argument provided a holistic experience and was respected, along with being well-rounded. However, Aristophanes doesn't totally end his quest at his ideal model. There are still problems with this argument, and he realizes this; he uses satire and makes the Just Argument a pedophile. Aristophanes understands that both the old and new ways of education should be criticized, allowing one to have a fair argument. The quest for proper education can always change, and a old system, left unseen, can lose its value when transferred to a new generation.
Socrates is described by Aristophanes as a scholar with a lot of tout in Clouds. His arguments are vague, yet learned by many. The importance of education can be seen in this play, supported by Aristophanes himself. Some symbols include the chorus of clouds, currency, and quests. The clouds, hence the title, are important in showing the fluff of the Unjust Argument. Currency and money education would have prevented Strepsiades from his problems with debt. Also, the quests, especially the one for proper education, is seen in the text by the different sets of arguments. Aristophanes presents Socrates as a educator and uses specific symbols to describe the concept of education.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Borderlands/La Frontera Gloria Anzaldua
Gloria Anzaldua presents her story in Borderlands/La Frontera. She is a lesbian Chicana trying to find her place, and be accepted, while traveling around the borderlands in Mexico and the United States. Anzaldua states, "borders are set up to define the places that are safe and unsafe, to distinguish us from them. A border is a dividing line, a narrow strip along a steep edge. A borderland is a vague and undetermined place created by the emotional residue of an unnatural boundary," (25). Through her description of borders and borderlands, the author explains them with her own experiences and ideas, such as the Aztecs, the serpent, and the Coatlicue state.
In the book there are two poems that connect to one another, that also describe the borderlands and what they can obtain/contain. "Somos una gente" translates to: "There are so many borders that divide people, but for every border there is also a bridge." (107). This poem explains that although the borders divide people, like Anzaldua states earlier in her definition, there is also a connector that brings the two sides together. Therefore, the two sides of a border can learn to live together and accept one another to live peacefully. In addition, there is a possibility of assimilating and becoming a new culture in the borderlands. This poem connects very well to the ongoing theme of acceptance of the author in new lands and borderlands.
The other poem that relates is "To live in the Borderlands means you." This poem goes on to describe the different experiences you would have living in the borderlands, and it contains how to survive and what you fight for, such as "To live in the Borderlands means to put chile in the borscht, eat whole weat tortillas, speak Tex-Mex with a Brooklyn accent; be stopped by la migra at the border checkpoints; Living in the Borderlands means you fight hard to resist the gold elixir beckoning from the bottle, the pull of the gun barrel, the rope crushing the hollow of your throat;" (216). I particularly thought these two stanzas brought out what it really meant to live in the borderlands, and how it relates to the United States. You are considered Mexican at border checkpoints, as Anzaldua claims, however you speak with a Brooklyn accent when using Spanish. In relation to "Somos una gente," this poem's last stanza states, "To survive the Borderlands you must live sin fronteras be a crossroads." (217). As with the previous poem, this means that when you do live between cultures you are a connector and a "crossroads" or "bridge" between them. These poems, one short, one long, propose the same theme of being an acceptor of both sides of the borderlands. One that lives in them does not have to choose one culture, as they can be part of both and a bridge of the two sides.
Gloria Anzaldua presents many difficulties of living in the Borderlands in her book, however she presents some ways one can overcome them. In the two poems, "Somos una gente" and "To live in the Borderlands means you," Anzaldua shows that by being a connector and bridge between two sides of the borderlands you can be accepted and live peacefully. The borderlands are a difficult place, but you can defeat the hardness by meeting at the crossroads.
In the book there are two poems that connect to one another, that also describe the borderlands and what they can obtain/contain. "Somos una gente" translates to: "There are so many borders that divide people, but for every border there is also a bridge." (107). This poem explains that although the borders divide people, like Anzaldua states earlier in her definition, there is also a connector that brings the two sides together. Therefore, the two sides of a border can learn to live together and accept one another to live peacefully. In addition, there is a possibility of assimilating and becoming a new culture in the borderlands. This poem connects very well to the ongoing theme of acceptance of the author in new lands and borderlands.
The other poem that relates is "To live in the Borderlands means you." This poem goes on to describe the different experiences you would have living in the borderlands, and it contains how to survive and what you fight for, such as "To live in the Borderlands means to put chile in the borscht, eat whole weat tortillas, speak Tex-Mex with a Brooklyn accent; be stopped by la migra at the border checkpoints; Living in the Borderlands means you fight hard to resist the gold elixir beckoning from the bottle, the pull of the gun barrel, the rope crushing the hollow of your throat;" (216). I particularly thought these two stanzas brought out what it really meant to live in the borderlands, and how it relates to the United States. You are considered Mexican at border checkpoints, as Anzaldua claims, however you speak with a Brooklyn accent when using Spanish. In relation to "Somos una gente," this poem's last stanza states, "To survive the Borderlands you must live sin fronteras be a crossroads." (217). As with the previous poem, this means that when you do live between cultures you are a connector and a "crossroads" or "bridge" between them. These poems, one short, one long, propose the same theme of being an acceptor of both sides of the borderlands. One that lives in them does not have to choose one culture, as they can be part of both and a bridge of the two sides.
Gloria Anzaldua presents many difficulties of living in the Borderlands in her book, however she presents some ways one can overcome them. In the two poems, "Somos una gente" and "To live in the Borderlands means you," Anzaldua shows that by being a connector and bridge between two sides of the borderlands you can be accepted and live peacefully. The borderlands are a difficult place, but you can defeat the hardness by meeting at the crossroads.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Freudian Slips - A Modern Topic
Sigmund Freud's work has been influential since the first day it was published. It has changed the way humans look at their own mind and how we study psychology. Today, many ideas from Freud are still being used and are still prevalent. We read Freud to understand the base of today's view of psychology and how this topic came to be.
One topic, that is widely seen today, studied by Freud is parapraxis, or Freudian slips. A Freudian slip is, "an error in speech, memory, or physical action that is interpreted as occurring due to the interference of some unconscious, subdued wish, conflict, or train of thought" (dictionary.com).
George H. W. Bush made a classic Freudian slip in a speech given referencing to Ronald Reagan. He said, "For seven and a half years I've worked alongside President Reagan, and I'm proud to have been his partner. We've had triumphs. We've made some mistakes. We've had some sex -- setbacks." When Bush said this, it was an error in his speech and probably not a subdued wish, but a mistake in letters that led to a wrong word. Freud would have called this deletion, which is omitting a word or part of a word. Although this mistake was psychologically meaningless, this is not always the case. Freud was interested in the cases where it was meaningful.This can be seen in the show "Friends" when Ross calls his soon to be wife, Emily, "Rachel." Freud would see this and claim that Ross is thinking about Rachel at his wedding with another woman, and he could say that Ross is regretting not marrying Rachel. Because they are at their wedding and not just a normal setting, this is very significant. Freud claims that the ideas that cause the "slips" are held in one's subconscious and come to the forefront of the mind because of a certain event, or even by coincidence. Ross using Rachel's name shows his thought of her in his subconscious during his wedding with Emily.Another interesting topic of modern day that relates to Freudian slips is autocorrect on cell phones (particularly iPhones). The autocorrect function on an iPhone has been known to create funny and embarrassing mistakes, after someone has made a mistake of their own. These mistakes can lead to bigger problems, and are modern day Freudian slips.One would argue that no Freudian slip is just an accident, and that everything that we say/write/text is a part of our mind for some reason. While some slips are not major, others can be crucial and can make or break someone. TV reporters can be fired for making a mistake on air, and political candidates are highly scrutinized if they say something wrong in public. Freud is very important to today's study of psychology. His ideas provided a backbone to modern day psychoanalysis, even if they were extreme. Although Freud was incorrect on various thoughts, he was the first to come out and share his beliefs on psychology and the human mind. Everyone should read Freud to have a basic understanding on what psychology is and have a perspective on looking at the human mind in a scientific way.
One topic, that is widely seen today, studied by Freud is parapraxis, or Freudian slips. A Freudian slip is, "an error in speech, memory, or physical action that is interpreted as occurring due to the interference of some unconscious, subdued wish, conflict, or train of thought" (dictionary.com).
George H. W. Bush made a classic Freudian slip in a speech given referencing to Ronald Reagan. He said, "For seven and a half years I've worked alongside President Reagan, and I'm proud to have been his partner. We've had triumphs. We've made some mistakes. We've had some sex -- setbacks." When Bush said this, it was an error in his speech and probably not a subdued wish, but a mistake in letters that led to a wrong word. Freud would have called this deletion, which is omitting a word or part of a word. Although this mistake was psychologically meaningless, this is not always the case. Freud was interested in the cases where it was meaningful.This can be seen in the show "Friends" when Ross calls his soon to be wife, Emily, "Rachel." Freud would see this and claim that Ross is thinking about Rachel at his wedding with another woman, and he could say that Ross is regretting not marrying Rachel. Because they are at their wedding and not just a normal setting, this is very significant. Freud claims that the ideas that cause the "slips" are held in one's subconscious and come to the forefront of the mind because of a certain event, or even by coincidence. Ross using Rachel's name shows his thought of her in his subconscious during his wedding with Emily.Another interesting topic of modern day that relates to Freudian slips is autocorrect on cell phones (particularly iPhones). The autocorrect function on an iPhone has been known to create funny and embarrassing mistakes, after someone has made a mistake of their own. These mistakes can lead to bigger problems, and are modern day Freudian slips.One would argue that no Freudian slip is just an accident, and that everything that we say/write/text is a part of our mind for some reason. While some slips are not major, others can be crucial and can make or break someone. TV reporters can be fired for making a mistake on air, and political candidates are highly scrutinized if they say something wrong in public. Freud is very important to today's study of psychology. His ideas provided a backbone to modern day psychoanalysis, even if they were extreme. Although Freud was incorrect on various thoughts, he was the first to come out and share his beliefs on psychology and the human mind. Everyone should read Freud to have a basic understanding on what psychology is and have a perspective on looking at the human mind in a scientific way.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Destruction of the Indies
Destruction of the Indies contains an account, written by Bartolome De Las Casas, of the Spanish conquer of the Indian natives in the Indies. During this tyranny, the Spaniards have no regard to native life because of their greed and ignorance. Also, the Spaniards have agreements with the kings of various Indie lands that they break, because of their sole self interest. Finally, it is a very interesting question, as to why Las Casas wrote this letter to Emperor Charles, instead of saying something to the head Spanish tyrants in the Indies. Destruction of the Indies shows how brutal and backstabbing the Spaniards were while taking over the natives' lands, while nobody opposed it.
There were many places in the Indies where the Spanish were inconsiderate, to say the least, of Indian life. When the Spanish invaded Hispaniola, the solo cause for the murders of the natives was greed, and they wanted to stuff themselves with riches. The tyrants burned the Indians alive and did not spare anyone including children, women, or elderly. Also in Hispaniola, the Spaniards made a rule that for every one Christian that was killed, they would slay one hundred Indians. This was pure brutality and ignorance for the natives' lives. In New Spain I and II, the basic idea of the Spanish was "to wreak cruel and most singular slaughter, so that those meek lambs might tremble before [the Spaniards]" (pg. 30). The Spaniards even sang songs about killing the Indians and the misery they caused them. Lastyl, in Panuco and Jalisco the cruel tyrant, Guzman, took the natives and sold them as slaves, while wasting the lands and leaving them depopulated. This was ignorant because now the land was unable to be used and there was no natives left to live where they once prospered. Guzman used the excuse that he gave thanks to God for his tyrannies, so they were justified. The Spanish had no consideration for any native life when they were conquering the lands.
When the Spaniards came to new lands, sometimes they would establish agreements with the native King, in exchange for land use and riches. In Hispaniola, the Indians provided the Christians with food and worked hard to produce for them, but the Christians had no remorse for the natives, sparing none. The Indians treated the foreigners with respect, but did not receive the same in the slightest bit. When the Spaniards invaded Trinidad, they issued an agreement and trust with the Indians. However, the Spanish broke the agreement and took the natives as slaves. Lastly, in Peru the natives and Spaniards lived peacefully together for six months, but the Spanish turned on the Indians and made them slaves, leaving the island almost without people. The Spaniards broke promises with the natives and took advantage of them.
Las Casas wrote the letter to Emperor Charles to inform him of what was going on in the New World, and to try and stop it. However, it would have taken a while for the emperor to receive the letter. Las Casas could have stood up against the brutality in a different way, but chose not to. One reason why is because he knew Charles wouldn't approve of the acts, where the tyrants that were with him did not care. Also, Las Casas could have been afraid of being killed by the leaders, because they didn't want opposition in their own group. Lastly, Las Casas could have enjoyed the riches that were gained by the Spaniards without killing anyone himself. Sending a letter to Emperor Charles was the safest thing to do, but not the most effective.
The account of the Destruction of the Indies shows how ignorant and brutal the Spaniards really were. They based their tyrannies on greed and riches. The people of the Indies were happy to establish agreements and trust, but the Spaniards backstabbed them and took all of the land, while killing the natives. Las Casas could have done more, but would have risked his life and fortune in the process. The Spaniards were selfish people and took control of the Indies, letting nobody or any beliefs getting in their way.
There were many places in the Indies where the Spanish were inconsiderate, to say the least, of Indian life. When the Spanish invaded Hispaniola, the solo cause for the murders of the natives was greed, and they wanted to stuff themselves with riches. The tyrants burned the Indians alive and did not spare anyone including children, women, or elderly. Also in Hispaniola, the Spaniards made a rule that for every one Christian that was killed, they would slay one hundred Indians. This was pure brutality and ignorance for the natives' lives. In New Spain I and II, the basic idea of the Spanish was "to wreak cruel and most singular slaughter, so that those meek lambs might tremble before [the Spaniards]" (pg. 30). The Spaniards even sang songs about killing the Indians and the misery they caused them. Lastyl, in Panuco and Jalisco the cruel tyrant, Guzman, took the natives and sold them as slaves, while wasting the lands and leaving them depopulated. This was ignorant because now the land was unable to be used and there was no natives left to live where they once prospered. Guzman used the excuse that he gave thanks to God for his tyrannies, so they were justified. The Spanish had no consideration for any native life when they were conquering the lands.
When the Spaniards came to new lands, sometimes they would establish agreements with the native King, in exchange for land use and riches. In Hispaniola, the Indians provided the Christians with food and worked hard to produce for them, but the Christians had no remorse for the natives, sparing none. The Indians treated the foreigners with respect, but did not receive the same in the slightest bit. When the Spaniards invaded Trinidad, they issued an agreement and trust with the Indians. However, the Spanish broke the agreement and took the natives as slaves. Lastly, in Peru the natives and Spaniards lived peacefully together for six months, but the Spanish turned on the Indians and made them slaves, leaving the island almost without people. The Spaniards broke promises with the natives and took advantage of them.
Las Casas wrote the letter to Emperor Charles to inform him of what was going on in the New World, and to try and stop it. However, it would have taken a while for the emperor to receive the letter. Las Casas could have stood up against the brutality in a different way, but chose not to. One reason why is because he knew Charles wouldn't approve of the acts, where the tyrants that were with him did not care. Also, Las Casas could have been afraid of being killed by the leaders, because they didn't want opposition in their own group. Lastly, Las Casas could have enjoyed the riches that were gained by the Spaniards without killing anyone himself. Sending a letter to Emperor Charles was the safest thing to do, but not the most effective.
The account of the Destruction of the Indies shows how ignorant and brutal the Spaniards really were. They based their tyrannies on greed and riches. The people of the Indies were happy to establish agreements and trust, but the Spaniards backstabbed them and took all of the land, while killing the natives. Las Casas could have done more, but would have risked his life and fortune in the process. The Spaniards were selfish people and took control of the Indies, letting nobody or any beliefs getting in their way.
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