Final answer:
The essay topic explores the intricate historical and cultural connections between Mesoamerica and the American Southwest, debunking the notion that these regions were separate entities. Important works reflect the consequences of conquest, interactions between cultures, and the evolution of narratives around Spanish colonization. This deep dive into historiography unravels longstanding myths and highlights the region's composite legacy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject at hand is a Historical Literature Review Essay focusing on the Legacy of Hate: The Conquest of the Southwest. By examining various sources and perspectives, it becomes clear that dynamics of power, culture, and history in the American Southwest were complex and interwoven. Art historians like Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank critique the tendency to separate Mesoamerica and the American Southwest, emphasizing instead the extensive interaction between these regions, evidenced by archaeological finds such as cacao remnants in pottery from Pueblo Bonito and the remains of birds native to Mexico. This indicates a rich network of trade and shared culture, challenging the traditional narratives shaped by modern national boundaries.
Further insights are offered by historical works such as Spicer's 'Cycles of Conquest' and Prescott's 'History of the Conquest of Mexico, and History of the Conquest of Peru,' which document the legacies of colonization, including the spread of the Black Legend regarding Spanish cruelty. Additionally, accounts of the period leading up to the Civil War, found in Morrison's 'Slavery and the American West' and Oates's 'The Approaching Fury,' reflect on the contentious nature of expansion and conquest. These works, alongside Rodriguez's speeches on assimilation and González's findings on cultural relationships in the Southwest, provide a multilayered understanding of the region's complex historical legacy.