Who were the cronistas of the new world and how did they influence it?
The cronistas of the New World were the chroniclers or writers who recorded and documented the events and observations of the Spanish conquest and colonization of the Americas. They played a significant role in shaping the historical narrative of the New World and influenced the understanding of the period. Some of the influential cronistas include:
1. Hernán Cortés (1485-1547): Cortés was a Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that conquered the Aztec Empire. He wrote five letters to the Spanish king Charles V, collectively known as "Cartas de Relación" (Letters of Relation). These letters described the conquest and provided detailed observations of the Aztec civilization, culture, and geography.
2. Bernal Díaz del Castillo (1492-1584): Díaz was a soldier who participated in the conquest of Mexico under the command of Cortés. He wrote "The True History of the Conquest of New Spain" (also known as "The Conquest of New Spain"), which provides a detailed and often firsthand account of the events and experiences during the conquest.
3. Pedro Cieza de León (1520-1554): Cieza de León was a Spanish conquistador and chronicler. He wrote "The Chronicles of Peru," describing the Inca Empire and the conquest of Peru by Francisco Pizarro. His work is regarded as one of the most reliable sources on the Inca civilization.
4. Francisco López de Gómara (1511-1566): López de Gómara was a Spanish priest and historian who served as the personal chaplain of Hernán Cortés. He wrote "Historia General de las Indias" (General History of the Indies), which provided a detailed account of the Spanish conquests in the Americas, especially focusing on Cortés and the Aztecs.
These cronistas influenced the New World by documenting the events of the conquest and colonization, describing the indigenous civilizations and cultures encountered, and providing insights into the social, political, and economic aspects of the period. Their writings influenced European perspectives on the New World and shaped the historical interpretation of the conquest and colonization. However, it is important to note that the cronistas typically presented a Eurocentric viewpoint, often providing a biased account that glorified the Spanish conquest and denigrated indigenous cultures.