Podcast Summary: "Conquest of the Americas" on Not Just the Tudors

Release Date: April 3, 2025
Host: Professor Susannah Lipscomb
Guest: Professor Matthew Restall, Edwin Earl Sparks Professor of Colonial Latin American History at Penn State College of the Liberal Arts

Introduction

In the episode titled "Conquest of the Americas," Professor Susannah Lipscomb delves into the complex history of the Spanish conquest, challenging long-held narratives that have shaped our understanding of this pivotal period. Joined by renowned historian Professor Matthew Restall, the discussion centers on debunking seven pervasive myths surrounding the Spanish colonization of the Americas.

Motivation for Challenging Traditional Narratives

Professor Restall elucidates his impetus for questioning the conventional stories taught for centuries. Originating from his experiences in graduate seminars, he noticed a recurring pattern where students uncritically accepted the "traditional narrative" derived from conquistador accounts. This realization propelled him to author Seven Myths of the Spanish Conquest, aiming to present a more nuanced and accurate portrayal of historical events.

Notable Quote:
"Those of us who work for universities sometimes complain about the demands on our time that take us away from doing our research and scholarship. So it's always good to remember that, in fact, our interaction with students can be crucial to that scholarly process..."
—Professor Matthew Restall [03:58]

The Seven Myths

1. Myth of Exceptional Men

The first myth challenges the glorified image of conquistadors like Columbus, Cortés, and Pizarro as lone heroes whose exceptionalism solely drove the conquest.

Key Points:

• Historical Context: The "great men" narrative simplifies history by attributing significant events to a handful of individuals, ignoring broader socio-political factors.
• Reality Check: The conquest involved numerous individuals and was facilitated by complex alliances and circumstances beyond any single leader's control.
• Impact of Repetition: Stories of heroism were popularized because they were easy to retell and remember, reinforcing the myth over time.

Notable Quote:
"The more you can find a society which already does that, with the majority of the population already live in peace, providing labor and goods to support a social and political hierarchy, the better your chances are of success."
—Professor Matthew Restall [22:44]

2. Myth of the King's Army

Contrary to the belief that the Spanish conquest was executed by a formal army directly under royal command, Restall posits that conquistadors were more akin to "armed entrepreneurs."

Key Points:

• Lack of Standing Armies: Early 16th-century Spain did not maintain permanent armies in the Americas; conquistadors were private individuals funding their ventures.
• Nature of Conquest: These "armed entrepreneurs" operated independently, often driven by personal gain rather than direct orders from the Spanish monarchy.

Notable Quote:
"The Spaniards did not have an army in the Americas, ever. Not only was the conquest not carried out by a Spanish army, but those colonies were not maintained by a permanent Spanish army either, not one that was sent from Spain."
—Professor Matthew Restall [27:29]

3. Myth of Miscommunication

While traditional narratives suggest that language barriers led to misunderstandings and facilitated conquest, Restall argues that communication was more complex and bidirectional.

Key Points:

• Role of Interpreters: Figures like Malinche were pivotal, but their portrayal as mere conduits overlooks their agency and the intricate dynamics of translation.
• Flawed Systems: The "game of telephone" resulting from multiple layers of translation often led to significant misinterpretations, affecting negotiations and alliances.

Notable Quote:
"Even indigenous language sources aren't the smoking gun that explodes the myths. Just because something was written in an indigenous language doesn't mean to say that it provides us or offers us a window onto the truth that has been denied us by the foggy windows of conquistador accounts."
—Professor Matthew Restall [10:41]

4. Myth of Completion

The notion that the Spanish quickly and fully subdued the Americas is debunked by highlighting the prolonged and incomplete nature of conquest.

Key Points:

• Extended Warfare: The conquest spanned decades, with continuous resistance from indigenous populations, notably the Maya, well into the 17th century.
• Autonomy of Indigenous Communities: Even during the colonial period, vast regions remained under indigenous control, maintaining their autonomy and governance structures.

Notable Quote:
"The conquest of Mexico did not end in 1521, it began in 1521."
—Professor Matthew Restall [35:06]

5. Myth of Native Desolation

Contrary to the image of conquered indigenous populations as passive victims, Restall emphasizes their resilience and active role in shaping colonial societies.

Key Points:

• Cultural Continuity and Adaptation: Indigenous peoples incorporated Christianity into their own belief systems, creating diverse forms of Catholicism.
• Agency and Resistance: Instead of succumbing to "desolation," indigenous communities actively negotiated, resisted, and adapted to colonial pressures, preserving their identities and cultures.

Notable Quote:
"Culture doesn't remain static, it evolves. And an indigenous person wearing indigenous clothing that actually doesn't date from before Spaniards arrived anyway and is using a cell phone is still an indigenous person..."
—Professor Matthew Restall [46:45]

6. Myth of Superiority

The belief that Spanish military technology and divine favor were the sole reasons for their success is challenged.

Key Points:

• Questioning Military Advantage: While Spaniards had certain technological advantages, they were not insurmountable. Factors like alliances, disease, and indigenous support played significant roles.
• Rejection of Simplistic Explanations: The conquest cannot be solely attributed to Spanish superiority; it resulted from a combination of factors, including internal divisions among indigenous groups.

Notable Quote:
"They were not really the best. And they were a number of complex factors."'
—Professor Matthew Restall [22:44]

7. Myth of Imperial Justification

Historically, the conquest was framed as a divine mission to civilize and convert indigenous populations, serving as ideological justification for imperialism.

Key Points:

• Circular Justifications: The narrative of divine approval was reinforced by the apparent rapid conversion of indigenous peoples, perpetuating the idea of a godly mandate.
• Ideological Persistence: These justifications evolved over time, adapting to new contexts but maintaining the underlying rationale for empire-building.

Notable Quote:
"Religion is the great justification. ... There's a kind of a circular argument, right? We're here because God wanted us here in order to convert indigenous peoples. Indigenous peoples have embraced Christianity, which therefore confirms that that's what they wanted all along..."
—Professor Matthew Restall [37:53]

Rethinking Terminology: The "Spanish Conquest"

Restall critiques the term "Spanish conquest" for its inherent biases and historical baggage. He highlights how the phrase originated from biased 16th-century accounts aimed at glorifying conquistadors like Cortés. The term perpetuates a one-sided narrative, overshadowing the collaborative and multifaceted nature of colonization.

Notable Quote:
"The word conquest is so heavily freighted... Our phrase comes from the Spanish la conquista de Mexico, which is really set in stone by a book that was written by someone who was hired by Cortés's son to write a story, to write the history of the conquest of Mexico as a kind of hagiography of Cortés to glorify his father, Cortés."
—Professor Matthew Restall [51:16]

Conclusion

The episode "Conquest of the Americas" offers a profound re-examination of the Spanish colonization narratives, urging listeners to move beyond simplistic and glorified histories. Professor Restall emphasizes the importance of understanding the complexities, alliances, and indigenous agency that shaped the conquest. By debunking the seven myths, the discussion encourages a more balanced and accurate appreciation of this significant historical epoch.

Notable Quote:
"The more we're talking about these things and throw different words and phrases and terms back and forth, the more we're thinking along the right lines and beginning to unpack that traditional narrative and replace it with a story that is, yes, not as simple, but it's far more interesting."
—Professor Matthew Restall [53:37]

Final Thoughts:
This episode serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of critical historiography. By challenging entrenched myths and advocating for a more inclusive and multifaceted understanding of history, "Conquest of the Americas" provides invaluable insights for both history enthusiasts and scholars alike.