Spain in the Southwest: A Narrative History of Colonial New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and California

by John L. Kessell

John L. Kessell’s Spain in the Southwest presents 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.

Genres: History, Westerns, American History, Religion, American

484 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2002

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the early 1500s, the Spanish triumphed over the Aztecs and established a new Spain -- an empire forged out of the new world. The equatorial tropics were only the beginning for Spain, however, as far above them loomed the entire continent of North America, full of possibility. The Spanish were lured north with simple and expressed motives: there was oro in them thar hills. They were teased with stories of great cities to the north, rivaling even the splendor of now-perished Tenochtitlan. Their explorations would take them as deep into the interior as Kansas, and create a new province for colonial Spain: "New Mexico". The Spanish in the American Southwest is a history of the Spanish empire in the present-day states of New Mexico, Texas, Arizona and California, one which aims to tell the story of cultures in collision -- or collusion, as the Spanish often relied on alliances with locals, using chronic warfare between populations to make friends. The province of New Mexico was named such in the hopes that it would prove as abundantly wealthy as Mexico, but easy loot wasn't to be found. Angry natives were, though, and in abundance -- constantly resisting the dons and once driving them out of the region entirely. Still, the 'new Mexico' would remain a Spanish possession, maintained at great expense for the benefit of seemingly no one but the Church, until Napoleon invaded Spain and provided the opportunity for the New World to declare independence from the old.

As this is billed as a narrative history, what are some of the interesting threads? Accounts of exploration always have an aura of fascination about them, although the Spanish were more disappointed with the constant lack of golden cities than mesmerized by the landscape. In this history we see the Spanish grow from explorers to conquerors, and then -- as the generations pass -- men who belong more to New Mexico than they do Spain. They struggle constantly with the neighbors, whose kin they have effectively enslaved and alienated from the local gods -- and later on, the Spanish have to double down on the unproductive province because of other European powers. France is especially aggressive in Louisiana and Texas, and the Anglo-Americans keep eying the west with a certain avaricious glint. The main reason Spain held on to the Southwest prior to strategy becoming a factor, however, was religion, as the religious orders (Jesuits and Franciscans) assured the Crown that they had baptized many souls, people who will be killed by their neighbors should Spain leave. Speaking of the friars, don't think of them as gentle souls living lives of poverty and service to their fellow man. The friars in the southwest were potentates, who relied on the forced labor of the locals and who threatened even the Spanish military and civil powers in terms of authority. One early friar -- addled by the desert sun and encouraged by his distance from Italy -- claimed to have the full authority of the Pope in the New World, and another effectively ousted the first governor of New Mexico proper when he (Peralta, the Santa Fe avenue's namesake) challenged the cleric's rule.

More will follow on the Southwest this year, including a travel account based on Coronado's first foray into the region, a history of the region between Mexican independence and the American invasion; and a modern history of the state of New Mexico itself.

Related:
The Spanish Frontier in North America, David Weber
West of the Revolution: An Uncommon History of 1776, Claudio Sant. Covers the Russo-Spanish contest in California
Death Comes for the Archbishop, Willa Cather.

[Jenn Cavanaugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A readable textbook with a definite Spaniard POV. Kessell takes some pains to assure us that not all Indians were peace-loving and morally superior to the Spanish. Kessell dips in and out following different personages, none Native that I could tell, but then I, too, was dipping in and out for research purposes.

[Ross Nelson · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of great information, but rather hard to follow.

[LonewolfMX Luna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a history of the Southwest from the time of the Native peoples of these lands encountered Los Espanoles in which they mercilessly conquered Mexico & these new northern territories in the name of Espana. In which focus the development and interactions between the Native peoples & the Espanoles, Mexicano Indio & Mestizo which would make a difficult Mestizaje between the cultures which would develop the territories of El Viareinato de la Nueva Espana-Vice-royalty of New Spain (Mexico)compused of Nuevo Mexico de Santa Fe (present New Mexico, parts of Texas, & Colorado), Coahuila-Tejas (present day Coahuila & Texas), Pimeria Alta (present day Southern Arizona & Northern Sonora), & La Alta California (present day California, Nevada Arizona, & Utah)

There were many interesting characters such as the Pueblo Chief Pope who incited a rebellion in New Mexico which kicked the Spaniards out for 10 years in the 1600's, there was an Italian Jesuit Priest by the name of Father Eusebio Francisco Kino who had established a school for the Native Peoples in La Pimeria Alta & many other characters.

This book I would recommend to history buffs interested in the southwest & Mexico's history as well as Chicano-Raza Studies students to reminds us of our Native roots, but also reminds us of the interactions between Mexicanos & Indio were not all smooth & pleasant even to this day many of the Tribal Nations in the Southwest regard Mexicanos along with the Espanoles, & Anglo Whites as the enemies to the tribal nations. Which is sad indeed.

[Joe Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book explaining the history of the Spanish exploration and colonization of now what is the southwest US. From the early 1500's to the mid 1700's, Spain held a tremendous influence in all aspects of the southwest. The author does a great analysis of Spain's power and cultural influence of over 200 plus years that is still felt today.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book if you're a history buff like me.