Explain the Spanish, the Aztecs, and the Incas use religion to shape their understand of the violent clash between the people of the Old and New Worlds?

Please read Columbus’s account of his encounter with the Native people of the Caribbean, “The Broken Spears,” and the “Royal Commentaries of the Incas,” all of which are under the text header “Primary Source Readings.” After you have read them, please write a two paragraph response to the following question: Explain the Spanish, the Aztecs, and the Incas use religion to shape their understand of the violent clash between the people of the Old and New Worlds? To ask the question another way, how did people’s religious beliefs shape how they saw others and how they made sense of the conquest of the Americas?
In answering this question, I want you to begin with a clear thesis that is developed throughout your essay. What is a thesis? A thesis is a point that you will argue or prove. It is not a statement of your topic, nor is it a statement of your opinion. It is, rather, a statement of something that you will prove and then support with evidence. Here are some examples of what a thesis statement is (and is not).
“In this paper, I will discuss how religion shaped events of the 1400s and 1500s.” What’s wrong with this? There is nothing to prove. It is simply a statement of what the paper will prove.
“In my opinion, religion is a divisive force in society.” What’s wrong with this? It is a broad, sweeping generalization that does not address the specific question posed in the paper. Avoid generalizations! Focus on the question and stay away from editorializing.
“The accounts written by people in the 1400s and 1500s demonstrate that religion shaped people’s views by ….” What’s right about this? First, it provides a statement of the evidence that will be used. Then, it leads to a point that can be proven.
I also want you to make use of evidence. You do not need to use parenthetical quotations or footnotes in this assignment, but I want to see evidence from the sources used to prove your thesis.
When introducing a source, do not write, “The book says …” or “Christopher says …” or something along those lines. Why? First, books do not talk. Second, you should use people’s last names when discussing a source. Instead, you should write, “Christopher Columbus wrote …” or “Columbus wrote …”
Do not simply drop a large “chunk” of quoted material in the essay. Instead, quote selectively and always explain why the quote matters. Why? Do not assume that a quote somehow proves itself; you need to explain to the reader why it matters.

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