Assignment 4a

The Conquest and Colonial Era of Latin America

The Colonial Period (1492-1810) stands out as the era that did the most to shape the Latin America that we know today. Unfortunately, the aspects of this transition included the native population basically being wiped out, and native culture being forbidden. The Spanish system promoted exploitation and this is what the Colonists did rather than to develop the area. The existing power structures were replaced and much of the native history re-written.

I found the information on a native woman by the name of Marina very interesting since she was so instrumental during this conquest, but even more because of the mystery surrounding the information we have about her and whether it is factual or part of the 're-written' history of this era
Initially viewing the first video recommended, I could hear the English speaking narrator mentioning her as being an interpreter, a traitor, a victim and divisions, which encouraged me to look further.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h-6cHlu5fk

The first point that I found of interest is, as mentioned, the actual history is not known for a certainty. In her case, we have a name, Marina. Was it her birth name or simply the one given her at her baptism by the Spaniards? Was she born of royalty as some suggest? If so, why would she have been sold to slavery and/or given as prizes to the conquering Spaniards? Most indicate she was born in 1496, but her death ranges from 1529 to 1550. Was she a traitor or did she help her people? So much history of these pre-Columbian people is gone forever. I find it curious that an entire history of a people can be wiped out.

The second point is that after her introduction to the Spanish in 1519, it is assumed that Cortes took her for his own and within several weeks she would become an interpreter, advisor, and intermediary for Hernan Cortes and the native peoples. When the Spaniards installed themselves in the Mexican capital of Tenochtitlan, the woman was now called Malintzin by the Indians. She knew enough of Spanish to interpret between Cortes and the Aztecs. According to records, true or not, she learned of several plans by the natives to destroy the small Spanish army and she alerted Cortes of the danger and even played along with the natives to lead them into traps. A traitor? Some feel that she may actually have been helping her people rather than betraying them since they feel that the Spanish would have been more harsh and destructive if she had not helped quell uprisings by her actions. A benefit?

Thirdly, two terms stem from her and her name. The name given to a child born of European and indigenous American ancestry is Mestizos which came to be from the child she had with Cortes, and the first child of this ancestry. Even more profound is the word Malinchismo is used to identify countrymen who betray their race and country, or mix with Europeans or any other outside influence. This not only indicates that the majority feel she was a traitor, but that her name should be connected to the act of treason or betrayal. We must remember that the Aztec Empire was destroyed, but the Aztec people, language and much of their history and culture was not completely destroyed. So, was she a traitor or did she aid her people? Since records are so scarce and possibly altered, we may never know.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Malinche
http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/travel/slenchek/slmalinche.html
http://www.lasculturas.com/lib/libMalinche.php
I am confident that the video speaker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h-6cHlu5fk) and the last two references along with the Wikipedia site are credible since they are professional in their fields, and show objectivity. The one I have cited here is just an individuals opinion which is questionable on accuracy and objectivity.
However, there may be much speculation on all parts, since, as mentioned, history had been re-written or altered.