Struggle and Survival

Spanish Colonies

Natives• While not able to reach the power the

Spaniards could, nonetheless some persevered– Martin Ocelot

• Native priest• Accumulated wealth through smart business

dealings• Jealousy from his neighbors and the Spanish

priests led him to be found guilty of witchcraft and all his possessions seized

– Micaela Angela Carillo• Rose from near destitution after death of husband• Survived by renting maguey plants from neighbors

and making pulque, an alcholic beverage• Ended up owning land and property valued over

1,000 pesos

Natives• While some prospered, others just

survived– Diego Vasicuio

• Quiet cautious man who avoided direct contact with the Spanish

• Charged with heresy at the age of 90• The “idol” he and his followers worshipped

was turned over• Afterwards they laid low until forgotten

and then continued as before

– Isabel Moctezuma• Daughter of former Emperor• Used by Cortés as a political chip and

married off to his supporters• Her adoption of the Spanish way of life

was held up as an example of a proper lady

Europeans• Some of the invaders came to the new

world not to prosper but as punishment– António de Gouveia

• Azorean priest• Studied medicine and theology in Italy• On return, was shipwrecked and worked as

a physician to earn money– Priests were not allowed to do so– Run afoul of the Spanish Inquisition, but

was released as the case was not strong enough

• Accepted into the Society of Jesus (Jesuits)• Left the Jesuits without permission and

moved into a noble household, probably as a healer

• Denounced to the inquisition and incarcerated

– Gouvia escaped, but turned himself in later

– Was told to leave and not return– He stayed nearby and became involved

in a mining operation

– Inquisition captured him and he was deported to Brazil

• Settled in Pernambuco– Most of the other religious

members in the area were Jesuits

• Became friend with young Duarte Coelho de Albuquerque

– Carried out joint expeditions for gold and silver

– Captured Indians for slave market

• Accused by Jesuits of celebrating Mass and then attacking and killing Indians

– He was arrested and taken back to spain

– He eventually died in jail

Europeans• There were some success in the New

World– Enrico Martinez

• Not Spanish• Upon arrival in Mexico City, he offered his

translation services to the inquisition• Through these services and the

inquisition’s seizure of confiscated goods, he was able to establish his printing business

• Even with his relative wealth, he was still not free– The inquisition suppressed books

unless approved– It caused the stifling on intellectual life

as it inhibiting the conception of new ideas rather than repressing those already in existence