Beggars in Spain

While few written records were left behind by the Indo-Europeans for historians to work with, recent archeological discoveries have uncovered a wealth of information about the development of Viking civilization. With the expansion of archeological research on land and water, researchers have gained an even more valuable insight into the Viking’s development and explorations. After reading Gwyn Jones’s narrative, “A History of the Vikings”, I found the Viking culture and level of sophistication…

Christopher Columbus /Diego Columbus, Spanish Diego Colón was born 1479 in Porto Santo, Madeira Islands the oldest son of Christopher Columbus When his father managed the great voyage of discovery in 1492, Diego was made a page at the Spanish court. When his father’s died in 1506, he began a long struggle to regain his father’s former privileges in the Indies. Diego’s marriage to María Álvarez de Toledo, niece of the duque de Alba, the cousin of King Ferdinand, worked in his favour, and in 1508…

The Early Modern Period (1450- 1750 C.E.) brought upon the global stage many things. Increased international trade, expeditions, and colonization defined this section of history. New developments were occurring in many places, influencing future order and economic promise, even today. To start, European power grew immensely at this time. Western Europe continued to flourish, producing a series of explorers that would greatly affect both people’s scope of the world and set a new precedent for…

The United States as most people know it came from a not so usual origin compared to countries of Europe and Asia. Like the rest of the Americas it gained almost all of its population from immigration. But the U.S.A. has a much more diverse population of immigrants ranging from Western Europe all the way to Southeast Asia. As such an important part of the past most people see immigration in the 1800's as the time the U.S. became the great country it is today. At the time of the late 19th century…

Did you know that in 2005, 118,128 kilograms of cocaine were illegally transported into the U.S? This astonishing amount has greatly decreased in the past years, declining to 24,103, in 2013. However, even with this cut, a related phenomenon is occurring on our borders, one known as illegal immigration which has maintained its popularity throughout the years. Both are so closely related that iconic figures such as Donald Trump stereotype Mexican immigrants as rapists and drug dealers. Because of…

America The Melting Pot A nation founded by immigrants, for immigrants, but now decides it’s too risky to let in people who need our help. Imagine being forced to put all belongings in a bag, and walk with your family to the nearest countries, and being denied continuously of shelter. The same politicians who say “Live the American dream”,deny it from other humans because of fear. The most important thing in life is opportunity, giving these Syrians rights, and freedoms they haven’t previously…

During the European era of exploration in the 16th Century, some of the most famous and successful conquests were those of Spain traveling through South America. The adventurous tales of these early conquistadors transcended generations in the form of mythical and historical retellings. As the 19th Century brought about industrialization, a renewed possibility of adventure emerged. Instead of physically conquering new lands, the unknown was explored for the sake of knowledge. The works of…

Matthew Restall’s book “Seven Myths of the Spanish Conquest” takes a look at the history of the conquest of the New World, while at the same time, attempting to decipher through certain myths that have gained historical ground over time. He looks at what parts of these myths have some truth to them and what parts of them seem purely fabricated. The goal that appears for Restall here is that while going through these myths, he needs to start with a blank slate. He needs to push aside what he and…

Christopher Columbus, an icon to many. Most people see him as good and others see him as an evil man. The truth is there are many facts to support both sides of this claim. But in all of the facts the explorer Christopher was and is a hero. Columbus was born in the republic of Genoa, Italy, in 1451. His parents were wool traders, which they also weaved their own wool. Columbus had three brothers and one sister. The state (financially) Columbus was in at the end of his life is completely…

seeking support for an Atlantic crossing from King John II of Portugal but was denied aid. (Some conspiracy theorists have alleged that Columbus made a secret pact with the monarch, but there is no evidence of this.) By 1486 Columbus was firmly in Spain, asking for patronage from King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. After at least two rejections, he at last obtained royal support in January 1492. This was achieved chiefly through the interventions of the Spanish treasurer, Luis de Santángel, and…