The Conquest of Michoacan: The Spanish domination of the Tarascan Kingdom in Western Mexico, 1521-1530

Author: Joseph Benedict Warren (1930-2021)

Year: 1985

Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press

Place: Norman

Description:

xv+352 pages with map, tables, figures, illustrations, appendices, bibliography and index. Royal octavo (9 14" x 6 1/4") bound in original publisher's brown cloth with white and gilt lettering to spine in original pictorial jacket. The Civilization of American Indian Series number 98.  First edition.

This book deals principally with the period between the first appearance of the Spaniards in Michoacan in 1521 and the execution of the young Cazonci in 1530. Opening with a brief description of Tarascan culture at the time of European contact, it describes the first exploratory contacts between the two peoples, the Spanish occupation of the Tarascan region and the assignment of the towns to the Spaniards at tribute-paying encomiendas. In succeeding chapters the author traces the initial efforts of the Spaniards to eliminate the native religion and put Roman Catholicism in its place. He describes the political turmoil and Spanish economic exploitation and the effects upon the Cazonci and his people. the final pages show how the forces of the Conquest ultimately destroyed the Cazonci. In previous works the Cazonci has been portrayed as a cowardly monarch finally sacrificed to Spanish greed. In this work are revealed the much more complicated motivations an influences that led to the king's trial in a Spanish court and execution by garrote and fire. In preparing this work the author consulted extensive archival materials to reinterpret and supplement the primary works about the period and makes detailed use of the record of the trial of the last Cazonci.

Condition:

Jacket spine ends rubbed, closed tear at spine head with crease else a near fine copy in a very good to fine jacket.

Kemper