Week 14 Prompt

Stern does not portray the black legend the same way previous authors have; instead he highlights how the Spanish and Incas were able to coexist together in Andean society. The Spanish did not so much mistreat the natives as did they set up a labor system in which patronage and goods were exchanged. He is able to demonstrate this on page 38 where he mentions how the two sides worked in harmony to boost personal economic interests, “By 1547, Indian workers and traders had captured an impressive share of the Mayomarca gold dust in exchange for their services and products(38). This is able to dispel the black legend because of the peaceful exchange between the two sides, and the Spanish did not mistreat natives as the legend mentions. In fact Stern goes on to mention that the native leaders went on to take advantage of the Spanish who were seeking tribute, not the Spanish taking advantage of the natives as the legend portrays. The Spanish did mistreat the natives in their pursuit of tribute, as they commanded from allyus. The karakas helped nurture this relationship forcing the tribute as to secure their interests amongst the Spanish. What stood out even more from the Stern text was the acceptance of the native religion and their deities by the Spanish. As previous authors have mentioned the Spanish pushed their faith and Christianity on the native peoples quickly on arrival however Stern mentions another perspective the Spanish had. “Given the impact of a people’s ancestor gods on the fortunes of the living, an alliance with victorious Spaniards dictated an alliance with their deities (39).” The Spanish brought their religion to the region but were not as intolerant to native beliefs, as in different parts of the new world.