Spain in the Southwest

by Kessell, John L.

• ISBN13: 9780806134840
• ISBN10: 0806134844
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-01-01
• Publisher: Univ of Oklahoma Pr

Summary

John L. Kessell's Spain in the Southwestpresents a fast-paced, abundantly illustrated history of the Spanish colonies that became the states of New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and California. With an eye for human interest, Kessell tells the story of New Spain's vast frontier--today's American Southwest and Mexican North--which for two centuries served as a dynamic yet disjoined periphery of the Spanish empire. Chronicling the period of Hispanic activity from the time of Columbus to Mexico's independence from Spain in 1821, Kessell traces the three great swells of Hispanic exploration, encounter, and influence that rolled north from Mexico across the coasts and high deserts of the western borderlands. Throughout this sprawling historical landscape, Kessell treats grand themes through the lives of individuals. He explains the frequent cultural clashes and accommodations in remarkably balanced terms. Stereotypes, the author writes, are of no help. Indians could be arrogant and brutal, Spaniards caring, and vice versa. If we select the facts to fit preconceived notions, we can make the story come out the way we want, but if the peoples of the colonial Southwest are seen as they really were--more alike than diverse, sharing similar inconstant natures--then we need have no favorites.

Author Biography

John L. Kessell is Professor Emeritus of History at the University of New Mexico

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations	vii
Preface	xi
Sons of the Sun	3	(26)
Contact Face to Face	29	(28)
A Mestizo Captain	57	(14)
Don Juan's Misfortune	71	(26)
The Friars' Regime	97	(28)
In the Aftermath of Revolt	125	(34)
Tides of Empire	159	(34)
The Inspector General	193	(30)
Apaches, Comanches, and Frenchmen	223	(30)
Visions and Realities	253	(36)
Roads without Traffic	289	(36)
``Gardem Espana''	325	(20)
Mexico's Problem	345	(34)
Abbreviations	379	(2)
Notes	381	(40)
Glossary	421	(6)
Works Cited	427	(18)
Index	445