Transcript Aztlan, Cibola and Frontier New Spain

Aztlan, Cibola and Frontier
New Spain
General Overview
• This reading assignment explores the evolving
image of the Southwest region from the sixteenth
century through the eighteenth century through
eyes and imaginations of Spanish explorers,
settlers and colonial government.
• Included in this image is the influence of the
indigenous through their myths and legends,
sometimes merged with the Spanish mythic and
European influence.
Aztlan
• The Aztec “edenic homeland”--the Aztec
image
• 1. Uto-Aztecan links: linguistic connection to the
Southwest cultures and languages
• 2. Cultural and mythic origin links to indigenous
southwestern people
• 3. Religious similarities
• 4. Agricultural traditions and material culture
Cibola
• Represents the post-conquest mythic image projected to the
frontier zones that indicates dual influences: Indigenous
and European, dual objectives: edenic paradise and the
millenial kingdom
• A. Aztlan: Nuno de Guzman (1530)
• B. Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca (1528-1536)
• C. Chicomoztoc: Nadal/Asuncion
• D. Cibola: Fray Marcos de Niza
• E. Quivira: Francisco Vazquez de Coronado (1540-1542.
• F. Trestetaztlan
• G. California: Ordonez de Montalvo
Frontier New Spain
• Early seventeenth century settlement of the region
beginning with Juan de Onate in New Mexico,
1598.
• New Mexico: settlement and occupation of the
northern region--buffer zone, underdevelopment
• B. Pimeria Alta: (Az. Sonora and Baja Ca,) 1700
• C. Coahuila y Tejas: 1763, the French threat
• D. California: 1769, “el rincon del mundo”