LA HISPANIDAD -THE SUM OF ALL OF US
October 12th is that day on which the Hispanics, meaning the current Spanish and Hispanic Americans, celebrate and we must strike another blow to the lie, generally accepted, that humiliates and distorts our history. Lies that stain our history and what we have contributed to it. For those who are still a bit clueless, October 12 is the date on which the Spanish ships, commanded by Christopher Columbus, stepped on the American lands and changed the history of the world forever.
The black legend does a lot of damage to current relationships among Hispanics and it's not our wish other than to make it disappear. We proudly celebrate this date for what it really stands for. What really was and represents and not what we are sometimes made to believe.
The black legend. What we are made to believe and what it really was.
The expedition, a simple stroke of luck?
It is usually said that the arrival of the Spanish in America was a casual event trying to detract from it. A mere mistake of the wrong ones. It is actually a milestone in which the financing of the Spanish Crown together with Spanish technology, media and sailors commanded by Christopher Columbus achieved what was impossible in the minds of the time.
These are a few thousand men who managed to subject almost all of America at full numerical disadvantage thanks to alliances with indigenous peoples who brought unknown prosperity to that continent.
A search for new trade routes to Asia led to the emergence of new possibilities. The arrival in America brought gigantic changes not only to Spain but to the lives of all Europeans. Potato, tomato, maize and cocoa, among many other products, improved the lives of Europeans.
Pre-Columbian peoples, advanced civilizations?
We are made to believe that the peoples of America were peaceful. However, the pre-Columbian peoples were as much or more cruel than those of Europe at the time. Immense hatreds, presence of genocide, oppression, slavery, destruction and chaos. Human sacrifices as part of rituals would know their end only with the arrival of the Spanish.
That's why the subdued peoples joined the Spanish people. How would it be possible if not for such a small number of Europeans to achieve any victory? The new era with the Spanish improved all of the above. If not, how could the Spanish presence in power last so long with the small number of Spanish? The answer is poor opposition and appreciation for the new social system in place.
We are told that these peoples were astronomical and agricultural geniuses. Yet that's a grain of sand in the desert of its lack of knowledge in almost every branch of knowledge. A clear delay in technology and law. The advent of the Spanish language and its own writing system allowed for an easier expansion of the culture.Not only did Europe benefit from what came from America but also America from numerous new products. Cattle, sheep and pigs. Various legumes and rice. Orange and lemon. The horses and the wine. Iron and steel. Among many others.
Genocide?
There was never a genocide of native American peoples by the Spanish people and the main proof is that it could not have been given by the gigantic numerical inferiority. It is true that there were significant losses of the indigenous population as a result of the new diseases carried by Europeans. The effect on America was similar to that of the Black Plague in Europe two centuries earlier. This must be understood as unintentional and not at all deliberate.
The other great proof that there was no such genocide is the current composition of the populations of these territories. The presence of pre-Columbian genetics is evident. Easy and simple, you see Indians and their mixtures all over the continent but do you find them so easy where others other than the Spanish swept the populations?
Slavery?
Spain raised the following debate from the very first moment: do we have the legitimacy to enslave individuals indigenous to American lands or do we have an obligation to consider them equal and the duty to evangelize them?
It was Queen Elizabeth the Catholic herself who from the first moment (and 300 years before Lincoln) fought slavery. Both she and Ferdinand the Catholic always insisted that the Indians be treated well.
Let us also highlight the figure of Bartholomew of the Houses. Bishop, philosopher and jurist who was the main defender of the indigenous people and was appointed "Procurator or universal protector of all Indians".Thus in her will, Isabella the Catholic included: "Do not consent or give room for the Indians to receive any grievance in their people and their property, but send that they be well and justly treated".
Christianization
What happened must be understood in the context of the time. We are presented with the Christianization of America as a process of destruction of pre-Columbian culture. First of all, it is necessary to remember that almost everything we know about the different pre-Columbian cultures is thanks to the registrations and creation of archives by the Spaniards.
The warrior and evangelizing mentality is present at the time and not only in European peoples. The right of conquest was fully accepted and the processes of legal submission and evangelization were common. This happened with the Germans on Baltic lands or the Russians in Siberia. In other cases such as the British, the annihilation of the native was chosen.
Gold theft? America's growth.
The alleged massive looting of gold, silver and other valuable materials is false and easily denied. Only a small part of the wealth was taken to Europe and the rest stayed in America. Pre-Columbian societies did not find economic value in these materials. They only had an aesthetic function and not a currency-based exchange function.
The amount of gold brought to Europe was that of the famous Fifth Royal, a profit tax to be collected and sent to the crown, which was 1/5 (20%). For ease of transport it was made in gold or silver bars and that is why the pre-Columbian pieces of art of these materials are scarce. Even in the 18th century the tax was reduced to a tithe (10%).
The list of cities founded in Hispanic America during Spanish rule is endless. Universities rise to 25. Cathedrals, hospitals, colleges and other large buildings erected during Spanish rule give rise to the common Hispanic essence of all current Hispanic countries.
The Hispanic Heritage, a reason to celebrate.
Thanks to this episode of history, millions of people have in common not only the language, which allows us to understand ourselves and that we gladly teach in our school, but many other cultural elements and ways of understanding life reinterpreted in each of the places.
On October 12th we will continue to celebrate and remember all this, for no reason to embarrass ourselves or ask for forgiveness, as we are sometimes trying to make ourselves feel. Let the reasons for our pride be clear with this article.
Long live the Hispanic Heritage!
Happy Hispanic Day!
