History

Consider whether Townsend would agree or disagree to post below. 

For example: if a classmate chooses Martinez to discuss cite evidence from Townsend to argue whether she would agree or disagree with the assessment.

post by classmate #1

1. While Martinez constructed her book to showcase the political and cultural systems that the Spanish put in place when they were creating "New Spain", further evaluation into the changes she mentions actually give way to a certain degree of continuity that the indigenous people were able to maintain through this period. Continuity in their structures even through colonization was bound to happen as the Spanish did not exactly take this land as their own empire, but instead made it a tribute state. Martinez mentions the New Laws of of 1542 and the "two-republic model" early on to emphasize how the indigenous people did not lose all of their autonomy, they were actually granted the right to "freedom" and having a separate republic allowed them to wield some of the influence they still had (Martinez 2008, 95). Through the "two- republic model", in the pueblos they were forced  into, the creation of their own indigenous government structures allowed them to take European conventions and use them for protection by combining the new beliefs with their own traditional ones. Also, later on some of the traditional elite rulers were allowed to maintain power over their lands because they had shown loyalty by converting (Martinez 2008, 107). Continuity of traditional native practices and culture was maintained through the indigenous communities manipulation of the restraints they were under in order to sneak in some of their influence, and when allowed they tried to keep traditional rule prominent. 

Would Townsend Agree or disagree and why? 

post by classmate #2

1. In terms of continuity after Spanish colonization, Martínez discusses that a degree of freedom was attributed to indigenous populations because of their acceptance of religious conversion and the fact that the Spanish were residing on indigenous lands (Martínez, 2008, 97). One illustration of an independence granted can be demonstrated through the cacicazgo political-economic system. This institution provided some continuation of indigenous practices by maintaining the status, leadership, and wealth of the descendants of leaders of pre-Hispanic indigenous dynasties (Martínez, 2008, 108). To add, the Spanish offered flexibility in maintaining indigenous social norms by allowing women to inherit these cacicazgos in certain circumstances (Martínez, 2008, 109). However, there was not always continuity in how women were treated after colonization. After inheritance of these cacicazgos, the status of many women declined resulting from the Spaniard’s favor of primogeniture (Martínez, 2008, 109). Further, in legal settings, Mexica women were granted less autonomy, as they were not perceived as legally responsible for themselves under colonial law (Martínez, 2008, 113). Provided these examples, in some instances, there did exist a degree of continuity of indigenous leadership and social practices.

Would Townsend Agree or disagree and why?

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