Biography of Diego Velazquez de Cuellar, Conquistador

Diego Velazquez de Cuellar (1464-1524) was a conquistador and Spanish colonial administrator. He is not to be confused with Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Velazquez, the Spanish painter generally referred to simply as Diego Velazquez. Diego Velazquez de Cuellar arrived in the New World on Christopher Columbus Second Voyage and soon became a very important figure in the conquest of the Caribbean, taking part in the conquests of Hispaniola and Cuba. Later, he became governor of Cuba, one of the highest-ranking figures in the Spanish Caribbean. He is best known for sending Hernan Cortes on his journey of conquest to Mexico, and his subsequent battles with Cortes to retain control of the endeavor and the treasures it produced.   Fast Facts: Diego Velà ¡zquez de Cuà ©llar Known For: Spanish conquistador and governorAlso Known As: Diego Velà ¡zquezBorn: 1465 in Cuà ©llar,  Segovia,  Crown of CastileDied: c. June 12, 1524 in Santiago de Cuba,  Cuba,  New SpainSpouse: daughter of Cristà ³bal de Cuà ©llar Early Life Diego Velazquez was born to a noble family in 1464 in the town of Cuellar, in the Spanish region of Castile. It is probable that he served as a soldier in the Christian conquest of Granada, last of the Moorish Kingdoms in Spain, from 1482 to 1492. Here he would make contacts and gain experience that would serve him well in the Caribbean. In 1493, Velazquez sailed to the New World on Christopher Columbus Second Journey. There he became one of the founders of the Spanish colonial effort, as the only Europeans left in the Caribbean on Columbus First Journey had all been murdered at the La Navidad settlement. Conquest of Hispaniola and Cuba The colonists from the Second Voyage needed land and slaves, so they set about conquering and subjugating the unfortunate native population. Diego Velazquez was an active participant in the conquests first of Hispaniola, and then Cuba. In Hispaniola, he attached himself to Bartholomew Columbus, Christophers brother, which lent him a certain prestige and helped get him established. He was already a rich man when Governor Nicolas de Ovando made him an officer in the conquest of western Hispaniola. Ovando would later make Velazquez governor of the western settlements in Hispaniola. Velazquez played a key role in the Xaragua massacre in 1503 in which hundreds of unarmed Taino natives were slaughtered. With Hispaniola pacified, Velazquez led the expedition to subjugate the neighboring island of Cuba. In 1511, Velazquez took a force of more than 300 conquistadors and invaded Cuba. His chief lieutenant was an ambitious, tough conquistador named Panfilo de Narvaez. Within a couple of years, Velazquez, Narvaez, and their men had pacified the island, enslaved all of the inhabitants, and established several settlements. By 1518, Velazquez was lieutenant governor of the Spanish holdings in the Caribbean and for all intents and purposes was the most important man in Cuba. Velazquez and Cortes Hernan Cortes arrived in the New World sometime in 1504, and eventually signed on to Velazquez conquest of Cuba. After the island was pacified, Cortes settled for a time in Baracoa, the main settlement, and had some success raising cattle and panning for gold. Velazquez and Cortes had a very complicated friendship that was constantly on-and-off. Velazquez initially favored the clever Cortes, but in 1514 Cortes agreed to represent some disgruntled settlers before Velazquez, who felt Cortes was showing a lack of respect and support. In 1515, Cortes dishonored a Castilian woman who had come to the islands. When Velazquez locked him up for failing to marry her, Cortes simply escaped and carried on as he had before. Eventually, the two men settled their differences. In 1518, Velazquez decided to send an expedition to the mainland and chose Cortes as the leader. Cortes swiftly lined up men, weapons, food, and financial backers. Velazquez himself invested in the expedition. Cortes orders were specific: he was to investigate the coastline, look for the missing Juan de Grijalva expedition, make contact with any natives, and report back to Cuba. It became increasingly apparent that Cortes was arming and provisioning for an expedition of conquest, however, and Velazquez decided to replace him. Cortes got wind of Velazquez plan and prepared to set sail immediately. He sent armed men to raid the city slaughterhouse and carry off all the meat, and bribed or coerced city officials to sign off on the necessary papers. On February 18, 1519, Cortes set sail, and by the time Velazquez reached the piers, the ships were already underway. Reasoning that Cortes could not do much damage with the limited men and weapons he had, Velazquez seems to have forgotten about Cortes. Perhaps Velazquez assumed that he could punish Cortes when he inevitably returned to Cuba. Cortes had, after all, left his lands and wife behind. Velazquez had seriously underestimated Cortes capabilities and ambition, however. The Narvaez Expedition Cortes ignored his instructions and immediately set out on an audacious conquest of the mighty Mexica (Aztec) Empire. By November 1519, Cortes and his men were in Tenochtitlan after having fought their way inland and making allies with disgruntled Aztec vassal states as they did so. In July 1519, Cortes had sent a ship back to Spain with some gold but it made a stop in Cuba, and someone saw the loot. Velazquez was informed and swiftly realized that Cortes was trying to fool him once again. Velazquez mounted a massive expedition to head for the mainland and capture or kill Cortes and return command of the enterprise to himself. He placed his old lieutenant Panfilo de Narvaez in charge. In April 1520, Narvaez landed near present-day Veracruz with more than 1,000 soldiers, nearly three times the total that Cortes had. Cortes soon realized what was going on and he marched to the coast with every man he could spare to fight Narvaez. On the night of May 28, Cortes attacked Narvaez and his men, who were dug in at the native town of Cempoala. In a short but vicious battle, Cortes defeated Narvaez. It was a coup for Cortes because most of Narvaez men (fewer than 20 had died in the fighting) joined him. Velazquez had unwittingly sent Cortes what he needed most: men, supplies, and weapons.   Legal Actions Against Cortes Word of Narvaez failure soon reached a dumbfounded Velazquez. Determined not to repeat the mistake, Velazquez never again sent soldiers after Cortes, but rather began to pursue his case through the Byzantine Spanish legal system. Cortes, in turn, counter-sued. Both sides had certain legal merit. Although Cortes had clearly overstepped the bounds of the initial contract and had unceremoniously cut Velazquez out of the spoils, he had been circumspect about legal forms once he was on the mainland, communicating directly with the king. Death In 1522, a legal committee in Spain found in favor of Cortes. Cortes was ordered to pay back Velazquez his initial investment, but Velazquez missed out on his share of the spoils (which would have been vast) and was further ordered to undergo an investigation of his own activities in Cuba. Velazquez died in 1524 before the investigation could be concluded. Legacy Diego Velà ¡zquez de Cuà ©llar, like his fellow conquistadores, had a profound impact on the trajectory of Central American society and culture. In particular, his influence made Cuba a major economic center and a location from which further conquests could be made.   Sources Diaz del Castillo, Bernal. Trans., ed. J.M. Cohen. 1576. London, Penguin Books, 1963.Levy, Buddy. Conquistador: Hernan Cortes, King Montezuma and the Last Stand of the Aztecs. New York: Bantam, 2008.Thomas, Hugh. Conquest: Montezuma, Cortes and the Fall of Old Mexico. New York: Touchstone, 1993.

Struggle and Disillusionment in Hamlet Essays - 919 Words

Shakespeare’s employment of dramatic struggle and disillusionment through his character Hamlet, contributes to the continued engagement of modern audiences. The employment of the soliloquy demonstrates Shakespeare’s approach to the dramatic treatment of these emotions. The soliloquy brings a compensating intimacy, and becomes the means by which Shakespeare brings the audience not only to a knowledge of secret thoughts of characters, but into the closest emotional touch with them too. Through this, the audiences therefore gain a closer relationship with Hamlet, and are absorbed by him because they are able to resonate with his circumstances, as he is faced with enduring truths of the human condition. Through these, the struggle and†¦show more content†¦The struggle is suggested through the existential questions that Hamlet asks, suggesting a battle with his conscience. The symbol of the world is a motif throughout the play, being described as â€Å"flat†, â€Å"weary†, â€Å"distracted†, â€Å"out of frame†, â€Å"out of joint†, â€Å"out of time†, â€Å"rotten† and â€Å"rank†. Hamlet displays his struggle and disillusionment for the world by using metonymy and juxtaposition throughout his soliloquy. â€Å"Sea of troubles† and â€Å"thousand natural shocks† are alluded to in his speech in order to express his disillusionment, communicating a counterpointing between the divine or earthly and the profane. This idea is continues in â€Å"O that this too too sullied †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Act 1 Scene 2), His speech is saturated with suggestions of rot and corruption, as seen in the basic usage of words like rank (138) and gross (138), and in the metaphor associating the world with an unweeded garden (137). Shakespeare uses juxtaposition and contrast to enhance these feelings of disgust, contempt and inadequacy. Hamlet displays disillusionment about women throughout the course of the play. This struggle to come to terms with his mother’s second marriage and disillusionment from the pure and angelic women is present from early on. In his first soliloquy, â€Å"O that this too too sullied †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Act 1 Scene 2), Hamlet censures his mother’s moral weakness as a woman (146). His disillusionment is shown when Hamlet uses the image of the Garden of Eden being polluted by theShow MoreRelatedStruggle And Disillusionment In Shakespeares Hamlet1945 Words   |  8 PagesAs with the majority of Shakespeare’s works, the tragedy of Hamlet still remains an acclaimed source of inspiration for complex interpretations and in-depth criticism. Its value lies not within its plot, but rather within the constituents that gives rise to the textual integrity of the play. 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Abraham lincoln free essay sample

Well he went back to the mans house and he had to explain what he found out about the typewriter. He told him that he fix it, but this was not Ernie Pyles typewriter, then he show him the document that he found out about the typewriter and he said that the typewriter that you thought was Ernie Pyles it has different marks then the one on the document. The man was a little upset but he said to the detective that his grandfather would of been happy that he found some important stuff about this typewriter. 1. Who is Ernie Pyle? Ernie Pyle was a journalist who wrote as a roving correspondent. 2. Why does the man believe that the typewriter is Ernie Pyles? The man believes that the typewriter is Ernie Pyles because His grandfather won it in poker. He won it from a George Pratt. He thought it was Ernie Pyles because George Pratt was in the same unit as Ernie Pyles and Pratt told the mans grandfather that it was Ernie Pyles typewriter. By February 1st, 1861 seven states had seceded from the Union. The seceded states collaborated to create the Confederate States of America and elected Jefferson Davis as their president. Lincoln decided to fight because he felt that it was his duty as the president to preserve the union. During his first inaugural address he appealed to the rebellious states to rejoin the union. (Civil War) The Civil War began on April 12th, 1861 in South Carolina at Fort Sumter. The Civil War was not entirely caused by the election of Lincoln. However, it was the primary reason the war broke out when it did. It also in my opinion set the stage for abolishing slavery. At this time Lincoln upheld that blacks could not join the army, however they were allowed to fight for the navy. Many blacks rushed in to fight because; although Lincoln stated that the war was not about slavery, but instead about the union. The African Americans knew this war was about slavery (Handlin). Slaves were escaping in masses, and because there was no consistent law regarding fugitives, commanders could make their own decisions on what to do with them. Some were put to work for union forces, some returned to their owners. Then on August 6th, 1861, the fugitive slaves were considered to be â€Å"contraband of war,† and it was decided that if they fought, and they were found to be contraband of war then they were declared free. As they continued to move south many slaves flooded the north. As a result both white and black northern citizens pulled together, providing aid, and organizing relief. And throughout the war they also organized schools to teach the African Americans to read and write (McPherson). Then in 1862 Lincoln began considering emancipation as a stepping stone toward winning the war. In the south they began to force blacks to build forts, work as blacksmiths, nurses, boatmen, laundresses, and work in hospitals, armories and factories. However, in the north the African Americans who wanted to defeat the slaveholders the most were being turned away from the military, because in the beginning of the war Lincoln did not want the south to believe that the war was about slavery not the not the Union. At this time, if Lincoln declared that the war was about slavery, European public opinion would back the north. On September 22nd, 1862, Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. The proclamation warned that if the Confederate states did not surrender by January 1st, 1863, their slaves would be freed. Many believed that this was the beginning of the end of slavery. But, they also feared that Lincoln would give into pressure and fail to keep his promise. Then on January 1st, 1863, he issued the final Emancipation Proclamation, freeing all slaves in states that were not part of the union. At this point, the purpose of the war changed; they were not only fighting to protect the union, but also fighting to end slavery. After the final draft was issued, the federal army began to officially accept black soldiers into ranks (Goodwin). A new chapter of history began, when the Thirteenth Amendment passed in January 1865. This Amendment abolished slavery in the United States, and provided that Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. (McPherson) The Amendment was passed at the end of the war, before Confederate States had rejoined the Union, making it easy to pass. Finally, on April 18, 1865, the Civil War ended with the surrender of the Confederate army. The southern landscape was destroyed, and four million slaves were freed. Former slaveholders faced emancipation with rage, concern, and despair. The slaves we re freed and began to attempt to rebuild their lives. The country then began reconstruction, which held many promises and tragic disappointments for the people of the United States. As part of the reconstruction there were two new amendments added to the constitution. The Fourteenth Amendment, which granted to all people born or naturalized in the United States. And, the Fifteenth Amendment, which said that no American can be denied the right to vote on the basis of race (McPherson). The Civil War paved the way for President Lincoln to abolish slavery in the United States. First he took a stand; he enacted the Emancipation Proclamation, and finally he was able to pass the Thirteenth Amendment. Had Lincoln not taken these steps to abolish slavery, History would have been completely different, and the road to civil rights and equality would have been delayed much longer. We will never know who would have finally stood up if he hadn’t, nor how long it would have taken. However, we do know it would have been different. Would we have had Martin Luther King? Or would we have President Obama? Bibliography 1. Tried by War McPherson M. James. 2008 2. Team of Rivals – Goodwin Doris Kearns. 2005 3. Abraham Lincoln and the Union – Handlin Oscar and Lillian – 1980 4. www. CivilWar. org

The Chrysanthemums Essays - The Chrysanthemums,

The Chrysanthemums On Henry Allen's ranch east of Salinas Elisa plants yellow chrysanthemums as Henry is selling thirty head of cattle to agents of the Western Meat Company. After he and Scotty go to round up the cattle, a tinker shows up. He asks for work which Elisa says she hasn't. He asks for seeds for a lady on his route. Elisa gives him seedlings with instructions, and then she finds work for him which he does professionally. To celebrate the sale Henry drives her to Salinas for dinner at the Cominos Hotel and a movie; they drive past the tinker on the road and she privately weeps. 2. The White Quail Mary has her garden designed before its lot is bought, before she's married. She picks Harry because she thinks the garden will like him. After the house is built and the garden established Harry finds her perfect though untouchable. She doesn't care for his occupation (making loans for cars); it's unfair. She routinely locks him from her tiny bedroom on the garden. He tries the lock and leaves quietly. She refuses to let him have a setter pup since it might damage her garden. After a white quail visits the cement pond she fears a cat will come and asks Harry to put out poison fish. He refuses but will try to hit such a cat with his new air rifle. Next morning he shoots the white quail then tells Mary it was the cat he buried. 3. Flight Mama Torres makes Emilo and Rosy fish when they can. Pep?, who is beautiful but lazy, is sent to Monterey for medicine and salt. At Mrs. Rodriguez's he kills a man with his father's black switchblade knife. He returns before dawn, then rides into the high hills as his family bids him, now a man, adios. After a day's riding he sleeps and is awakened by a horse down the trail. He rides another day before his horse is shot out from under him. He exchanges shots and receives a granite splinter wound in his right hand. He runs on for several days and is finally shot dead. 4. The Snake Young marine biologist Dr. Phillips brings a sack of starfish from the tide pool to his laboratory on the cannery street in Monterey. The lab: rattlesnakes, rats, cats; killing a cat. Arrival of a tall, lean woman just as he begins timed work making a starfish embryo series. While she waits he begins embalming the cat. She wants to buy the male rattlesnake which she wants to keep in the lab. Her snakish behavior during the feeding annoys Phillips. The starfish series is ruined. She never comes back. 5. Breakfast A cold pre-dawn, by a country road, I see a tent with a lit campstove. A girl nurses a baby while preparing coffee, bread and bacon. A younger and an older man came from the tent. I'm asked to breakfast. They're cotton pickers, working twelve days already. They go to work. I leave. 6. The Raid Root and Dick head out of a packing plant town on a dark night, stopping finally at an abandoned store where they put up posters. After an hour a man warns them to leave, but they have orders to hold it. Dick reminds Root: It isn't them hitting you, it's the System; it isn't you being busted but the Principle. And: when it comes, it won't hurt. Root greets the raiders as comrades and is hit with a club. He stands again and passes out. He wakes in a hospital cell. Dick says they'll probably get six months. Forgive them vs. opium of the people. 7. The Harness Randall's ranch east of Salinas and across the river is an ideal blend of bottomland and upland. After Peter's annual business trips Emma becomes sick for several weeks and the neighbors bring cakes and pies. When she dies Peter becomes hysterical. Alone with Ed, he removes his shoulder brace and girdle, gets whiskey from the barn, tells of his one week a year at San Francisco fancy houses, of his dream of filling the bottom land with sweet peas and the house with fat women. DeWitt says he's crazy to plant sweet peas, but they are so beautiful schoolbusses drive out to see them. At the Ramona Hotel in San Francisco, to meet his wife's cousin from Ohio, Ed sees Peter come in drunk from a fancy house on Van Ness Avenue. He says Emma kept him worried all year about those peas: she didn't die dead. 8. The Vigilante Mike watches the crowd depart after a lynching. The bartender opened up thinking the boys would be thristy but only Mike comes in. Mike tells of the raid on the jail, the beating, the lynching. The bartender buys a swatch of the dead man's pants from Mike to hang up at the bar. They walk to their homes. Mike's wife