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2.3 "Segunda carta de relación" – Hernán Cortes

6 min readmarch 15, 2023

Sylvia Rodriguez

Sylvia Rodriguez

Sylvia Rodriguez

Sylvia Rodriguez


AP Spanish Literature 💃🏽

24 resources
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2.3 "La segunda carta de relación" (Hernán Cortes)

Resumen

"La segunda carta de relación" es una carta ✉️ emitida por el Conquistador Hernán Cortés dirigía al rey Carlos V para resumir una etapa de su conquista 🤺 de México. A lo largo de la carta, Cortés presenta diferentes crónicas ⏱️ de sus exploraciones en México y las interacciones entre los españoles y los indígenas.

Conexiones a los temas, recursos literarios y citas esenciales

Conexiones con los temas del curso
  • 🌎: Las sociedades en contacto: Había contacto entre méxicas y los españoles por el imperialismo 🔥 de Cortes a los mexicas.
  • ➿: La construcción del genero: Por las relaciones sociales 🗣 de los mexicas y los españoles, los españoles entendieron 👀 mas sobre la vida de los mexicas y Cortes empezó su vida nueva sobre la conquista 🎯.
Recursos literarios
  • 👂 Narratorio: La narración de Cortes construye una realidad 🧐 un poco diferente para apaciguar 🤩 el rey a que la carta estaba dirigida.
  • 🔢 Enumeración: Nombró distintas partes 🤔 de su conquista y organizó sus aventuras usando enumeración 👌🏼.
    AP Spanish Literature Study Guide: La Segunda Carta de Relación by Hernán Cortés

    Introduction

    Hernán Cortés was a Spanish conquistador who played a major role in the conquest of Mexico and the defeat of the Aztec Empire in the early 16th century. Born in Medellin, Spain in 1485, Cortés first arrived in the New World in 1504 as a young man and quickly became involved in the exploration and conquest of the Caribbean and Central America. In 1519, he led an expedition to Mexico with the goal of subjugating the Aztec people and claiming their empire for Spain.
    La Segunda Carta de Relación, also known as the Second Letter of Relation, is a report written by Cortés to King Charles V of Spain in 1520. The letter is a detailed account of Cortés' journey to Mexico, the Aztec civilization, and the conquest of the empire. The letter was written shortly after the fall of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, and provides a first-hand account of the events of the conquest and the state of the conquered territories.
    The letter is important because it provides valuable insights into the perspective of the Spanish conquerors and their motivations for colonization. It also sheds light on the cultural and political landscape of the Aztec Empire and the impact of the conquest on the indigenous peoples of Mexico. Additionally, the text provides a fascinating historical account of the events leading up to the Spanish conquest and the formation of New Spain, a key event in the history of the Americas.

    Historical Context

    Hernán Cortés was a Spanish conquistador who played a significant role in the Spanish conquest of Mexico in the early 16th century. The Spanish conquest of Mexico had a lasting impact on the indigenous peoples and cultures of the region, as the Spanish brought with them their religion, language, and culture, which often suppressed and erased the native traditions.
    La Segunda Carta de Relación, or the Second Letter of Relation, is a text written by Cortés to the Spanish monarchy, in which he documented his experiences during the Spanish conquest of Mexico. The letter serves as a historical record of the conquest and provides valuable insight into the motivations, actions, and perspectives of the Spanish conquistadors.
    In the text, Cortés describes his encounters with the Aztecs, including his initial meetings with the Aztec emperor Moctezuma, his eventual overthrow of the Aztec empire, and his establishment of a Spanish colonial government in Mexico. The letter also provides a glimpse into the cultural differences between the Spanish and the Aztecs, as well as the violence and brutality of the Spanish conquest.
    The significance of La Segunda Carta de Relación lies in its role as a primary source of information on the Spanish conquest of Mexico. It offers a unique perspective on the events and experiences of the conquest and provides important context for understanding the lasting impact of the Spanish colonization of the Americas. The text remains a relevant source for scholars and students studying colonial Latin America and the Spanish empire.

Literary Analysis

In Hernán Cortés' La Segunda Carta de Relación, the Spanish conquistador portrays himself as a just and noble leader, seeking to spread the word of God and bring civilization to the native peoples of Mexico. At the same time, he also dehumanizes and marginalizes the indigenous peoples, portraying them as inferior and savage. The use of language and syntax in the text reflects this attitude, with Cortés using grandiose and elevated language to describe himself and his actions, while using dismissive and pejorative terms to describe the indigenous peoples.
The text is characterized by themes of conquest, power, and cultural exchange. Cortés' accounts of the Spanish conquest of Mexico highlight the sheer power of the Spanish army and the superiority of Spanish culture, religion, and technology. The themes of power and domination are evident in the text, as Cortés and the Spanish are depicted as exerting control over the native peoples and their lands.
At the same time, the text also touches on the idea of cultural exchange and the interactions between the Spanish and indigenous peoples. Cortés' descriptions of the Aztecs and their culture, for example, demonstrate both fascination and condescension, reflecting the Spanish attitude towards the native peoples.
Overall, La Segunda Carta de Relación is an important text for understanding the Spanish conquest of Mexico and the attitudes and beliefs of the Spanish conquistadors. It provides valuable insights into the power dynamics and cultural exchanges that took place during this period, and its lasting impact on the Americas.

Contextualization of La Segunda Carta de Relación

The text "La Segunda Carta de Relación" by Hernán Cortés is a key historical document that provides a firsthand account of the Spanish conquest of Mexico. The text was written by Cortés himself, who was the leader of the Spanish expedition to Mexico in the early 16th century. It provides a unique perspective on the events that took place during the conquest, including the initial encounters between the Spanish and the indigenous peoples of Mexico, the formation of alliances and the eventual subjugation of the Aztec empire.
In the text, Cortés portrays himself as a brave and determined leader who was able to overcome many obstacles to achieve his goals. At the same time, the indigenous peoples are depicted as passive and easily conquered, with little agency or resistance. The use of language and syntax in the text also reflects the power dynamic between the Spanish and the indigenous peoples, with Cortés using a grandiose and authoritative tone.
The themes present in the text include conquest, power, and cultural exchange. The text reflects the Spanish desire to expand their empire and gain power over new territories, as well as the cultural exchange that took place between the Spanish and the indigenous peoples of Mexico. The text also highlights the violence and exploitation that characterized the Spanish conquest, as well as the displacement and oppression of the indigenous peoples.
In comparison to other accounts of the Spanish conquest, such as those written by indigenous peoples, the text "La Segunda Carta de Relación" provides a unique perspective that reflects the Spanish perspective and experience. The text is significant in documenting the Spanish conquest and shaping historical memory, as it provides a first-hand account of the events that took place and the motivations behind them.
In conclusion, "La Segunda Carta de Relación" is a crucial text for understanding the Spanish conquest of Mexico and the impact that this event had on the indigenous peoples and cultures of Mexico. The text provides insights into the Spanish perspective on the conquest and the use of power, as well as the cultural exchange that took place between the Spanish and the indigenous peoples. The text remains relevant today as a historical document that helps to shape our understanding of the past and the impact of colonialism on the Americas.
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