Massimo Livi-Bacci (University of Florence)

Conquest

The Destruction of the American Indios

• Gebundenes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

The arrival of Europeans in the Americas brought with it a demographic catastrophe of vast proportions for the native populations. In this book Livi Bacci argues that the catastrophe was not the inevitable outcome of contact with Europeans but was a function of both the methods of the conquest and the characteristics of the subjugated societies.

---

Hinweis: Dieser Artikel kann nur an eine deutsche Lieferadresse ausgeliefert werden.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: John Wiley and Sons Ltd
• Seitenzahl: 368
• Erscheinungstermin: 13. Dezember 2007
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 146mm x 224mm x 26mm
• Gewicht: 560g
• ISBN-13: 9780745640006
• ISBN-10: 0745640001
• Artikelnr.: 22957064

Autorenporträt

Massimo Livi-Bacci is Professor of Demography at the University of Florence.

Inhaltsangabe

Preface
I In which are described three voyages that changed the face of a
continent, the American population at the time of contact, the demographic
catastrophe of the Indios, the sorrowful increase of the Africans, and the
expansion of the Europeans
II A humble Franciscan, two combative Dominicans, an Italian humanist at
the Court of Spain, a remorseful viceroy, a naturalist 'alcade', a
Europeanized Inca and an Inca fallen on hard times, a conquistador
observer... different witnesses and a common analysis of the catastrophe
III A tireless traveler disrupts a continent, but a quarter century too
late. From the Caribbean to Perú: a brief history of a long voyage and of
the suspected assassin of Huayna Capac, father of Atahuallpa. The true and
presumed sins of smallpox and other crowd diseases
IV A golden nose ring and the tragic destiny of the Taíno. An Indio follows
a deer and discovers a mountain of silver. A people in constant movement,
over 1000 miles and at an elevation of 4000 meters, and the wealth of
Potosí. Deeds and misdeeds of gold and silver
V Hispaniola, the territorial paradise of Columbus and the imagination of
modern scholars. One hundred thousand or ten million Taíno? The catastrophe
of the Antilles as seen from close up and a credible leyenda negra. People
die while animals flourish
VI A great and rich city, dreamed of by Columbus and destroyed by Cortés.
The modern dispute over the population of Mesoamerica. Tributaries,
tributes, and population. Thirteen brigantines hauled overland and a tunnel
in the rock. Men and beasts
VII The Incas and many millions of subjects. A quarter century of wars:
Indios versus Indios, Spaniards versus Indios, Spaniards versus Spaniards.
'Quipu' pen and ink. A viceroy who counts, measures and acts. Epidemics:
the moderns debate them, the ancients ignore them
VIII Colonists and 'Paulists' hunting down Guaraní between the Paraná and
the Uruguay. One hundred Jesuits for 100,000 Indios. Steel axes and
security in exchange for Christian habits. Monogamy and reproduction
stronger than crowd diseases
Epilog
Appendices
Tables
Figures
Notes
Chronology
Glossary
Note on Illustrations
Index

Rezensionen

"An impressive argument for a more complex way of understanding theconquest of what is now Latin America than the single-causeexplanations that have been dominant for the past severaldecades. The translation is lucid and easy to follow, and thegenerous contemporary illustrations of the life of the Indios atthe time of conquest further enrich the text."
Population Studies

"An excellent study ... the book provides fresh insights intoone of the most catastrophic episodes of early modern history andthe narrative thrust of the work makes it very readable."
Historical Association

"Well-illustrated, useful and balanced ... an excellentprovocative volume which should have wide appeal."
European Review of Latin American and CaribbeanStudies "Bacci makes a significant contribution and should be applauded fortackling a difficult academic question. [He] commendably moves thediscussion away from singular epidemiological explanations andrefocuses debate on the multiple means and various trajectoriesinvolced in the conquest of indigenous peoples."
American Historical Review

"Massimo Livi-Bacci's Conquest is a brilliant,fascinating history of the demographic catastrophe that envelopedthe New World after 1492. Thickly illustrated with the artisticvisions and voices of native peoples, it is the most even-handed,comprehensive narrative available - now in a lively, fluidEnglish translation. Livi Bacci examines the evidence with the eyeof a seasoned detective, solving a series of mysteries - inthe West Indies, Mexico, Peru, and the Río de la Plata. Alongthe way, he finds much previously overlooked evidence, which heingenuously assembles into a compelling, nuancedinterpretation."
Robert McCaa, University of Minnesota

"Was the decay of the Amerindian population man-made, or was itbrought about by the uncontrolled spread of pathogens or some otherfactor? Massimo Livi Bacci, a world-leading demographer, joins, inthe present translation of his well-read book, the centuries-longdebate on the extent and the causes of the post-Conquest collapse,adding to the discussion fresh insights based on his expertise inpopulation studies and on a judicious and thorough historicalresearch."
Nicolás Sánchez-Albornoz, New YorkUniversity