Why the Myth of the White Conquistador Emerged

Seven Myths of the Spanish Conquest

To cement the idea of a victorious Spanish army, it was advantageous to tout that their army was made up of Spaniards.The Spanish army also consisted of:

AfricansSlavesLatin American Native Allies

Political

The Conquistadors were entrepreneurs therefore when they wrote back to Spain it was a lavishly altered version to make themselves seem more effective and miraculous then in reality.Their motives:

More money from Spain if they are showing success in their endeavors

Looking to build wealth off spoils of new world

Economic

Conquistadors were white Spanish, they were “superior” by the standards of the day. Therefore they would leave out their African, slave, and native soldiers so that they seemed to be the victorious ones.Africans were looked down on as pack mulesSlaves were lowest in social standingNative allies were looked at as necessary but

hardly the equal of the Conquistadors

Social

Seven Myths of the Spanish ConquestBy: Matthew RestallChapter 3: The Myth of the White ConquistadorPg. 44-63

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