The Spanish West

The Old West #16

by Time-Life Books

Discusses the land, history, and people of the Southwestern United States.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History, Westerns

240 pages, Leather Bound

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the series of Time-Life Books about "the Old West." I love the Time-Life books because of their illustrations, photos, and maps. And they are well enough written to cover the subject presented. This one is about "the Spanish West," about the three main Spanish colonies north of Mexico--Texas, New Mexico ( including Arizona) and California.
The story begins with the audacious Spanish explorations into what is now the American Southwest, especially Coronado's expedition of 1540-42. Coronado was looking for the mythical Seven Cities of Cibola. He never found them but he did find the Pueblo communities and conflict between the Spanish and Native Americans was a result. It was in 1609 that the Spanish founded Santa Fe and New Mexico would become Spain's most successful colony north of Mexico. Much of the colonization was driven by the Catholic Church, setting up missions and converting Native people to Catholicism ( while they retained much of their "pagan" beliefs and customs ).
In 1680, the most successful war against the whites by Native people was carried out by the Pueblo Indians under the leadership of a man known as "Pope." They forced the Spanish to evacuate Santa Fe--and the Spanish would not return until 1692.
Texas became another colony with missions and the imposition of the Spanish culture on the Native people. In 1718, the mission of San Antonio was founded, its chapel becoming known as the "Alamo." But in Texas the Spanish population growth was extremely slow. This was due to one main reason: Native hostility in Texas. The Spanish there were threatened by not one but two warlike nomadic tribes--the Apaches to the west and the Comanches to the north. In the Battle of Red River in 1759, Comanches and allied Plains Indians ( many with firearms provided by the French) decisively defeated a Spanish force sent to punish the Comanches for their raids. By the end of Spanish rule (before Mexican independence in 1821), the decision was made to permit Americans to settle in Texas and provide a buffer against the Comanches for Mexican settlement farther south. We know how that ended--with the Americans fighting the Mexican government and creating an independent republic in Texas in 1836.
The third Spanish colony north of Mexico was California. A great chain of missions was extended from San Diego 650 miles north to San Francisco between 1769 and 1823. Most of the Indian tribes were peaceful and became converted--and provided the labor force for the missions. Ranches were established and cattle-raising became the main industry. The population of the Californios remained small but they had a prosperous life enjoying the mild climate. They certainly also had a lot of servants from the subjected Native population. They traded with the Americans and others who came by ship, but it was surely a sign of things to come as, increasingly, Americans came to stay.
With Texas gaining statehood in 1845, Mexico and the USA moved toward war. This is the last part of the story--the Mexican-American War of 1846-48. In that war, Santa Fe was captured by an American army, California was also seized, and Mexico City itself fell to US forces after a great battle. In the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, California and New Mexico were ceded to the USA and the border with Texas was recognized as being on the Rio Grande. Mexico lost 1/3 of its territory and, as a consolation, received a payment of $15 million. The US also assumed $3,250,000 in debts owed by Mexico to American citizens.
Was it the end of "the Spanish West?" Not at all. Spanish culture, food, religion etc. remains. In fact, and I just checked, as of 2019, Hispanics are 49% of the pop. of New Mexico, California, 39%, Texas, 39% and Arizona, 31%. In 1848, there were 5,000 Hispanics in California. Today, there are over 15 million. The Spanish West not only lives on but it is stronger than ever.

[John Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best in the Time-Life series, it even includes recipes!

[Steven Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fine entry in Time-Life Book's "The Old West" series. This book examines the Spanish settlements in Texas, "New Mexico," and California. Leading figures, the challenges facing the settlers, the menacing American presence as the 19th Century progressed are stories well told. Illustrations and photographs help to bring the stories to life.

[Charles Robling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, a day as steeped in gravy as it is with tradition. The roots of the holiday go all the way back to the 16th century. Exiled from their homeland, English settlers set sail for greener pastures (thankfully for their sake they didn’t land in New Jersey).

Those pilgrims, the ones who were taught by the native peoples how to plant corn, hunt turkey, and find the channel the Lions were playing on that day, were the first European settlers to set up shop in what is known today as the “United” States, right? INCORRECTO.

Exploradores españoles ya habían empezado a desarrollar sociedades enteras cuando por fin los peregrinos se dieron cuenta de cómo cultivar una puta patata. Los ingleses estaban dándoles a varias piedras nombres absurdos cuando los españoles estaban construyendo casas, palacios y catedrales.

Aunque en una gran parte de lo que hoy en día es los EEUU (gracias james k polk) hay una influencia súper evidente y impactante, casi nadie se sabe del “viejo España”. Dedicamos días enteros realizando los looks de peregrinos en el cole, y no prestamos ni un minuto de atención a lo que estaba pasando al otro lado del Río Misisipi. Que bueno que alguien tuvo la idea de escribir este libro para documentar en gran detalle la historia fascinante del Oeste Español.

Ahora bueno, no me jodas, los exploradores hicieron cosas terroríficas en su conquista de los nativos. Lo que a mí más encanta de este libro es que no tiene miedo de decirles a los lectores esto, pero tampoco lo bueno también. La historia es un largo libro — seria deshonesto solo contar un lado.

[Pat Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another of my collection of Time/ Life The Old West series. The book was interesting enough. The last 70 pages or so were quite interesting. The subject kind of gets away from the Spanish West and slides to the history of Mexico and the U.S. and the war they had. But that part of the book bordered on being a page turner. I enjoyed it. I would say anyone who has an interest in the Old West of the U.S. would probably like the book as well.

[Aaron G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Time-Life's "The Spanish West" offers a comprehensive introduction to the Spanish era in the American Southwest. It serves as a relatively decent primer for individuals who are new to the subject. However, while the book provides a broad overview through its concise chapters (along with excellent artwork), my view is that it tends to gravitate towards a theme of American exceptionalism.

In the final chapter on the Mexican-American War, the narrative appears to lean towards the American viewpoint, reflecting a bias similar to that of contemporary views of the Mexican-American War itself. This tilt in perspective may overshadow an even-handed recounting of events, an aspect that readers seeking a balanced historical account might find limiting.

For those eager to delve deeper into the history of the Spanish West, works such as "The Spanish Frontier in North America" by David J. Weber or "Spanish Texas, 1519-1821" by Donald Chipman and Harriet Denise Joseph might offer a more nuanced exploration of the topic.

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

while short, I think the book does provide a good summary of spanish history and influence in what many americans may consider 'our' west. Actually it has a far longer history of being spanish than american and it's worthwhile to consider all of that impact.

[redbird_fan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a great deal and am trying to appreciate the Mexican people and their history.

Just what I was looking for. Very informative without being too deep.

[Henry Kline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very happy with the view of events with more of a view form the Mexican pr0spective.

[Tanja Nayak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this collection of Encyclopedias at a thrift store as a birthday present to myself. I love all of the books in the series. I love the beautiful leather-embossed covers with colorful pictures on the cover. The content is well-researched and the photographs and illustrations are well curated. There are worse ways to spend one's time than learning a bit more about the history of the Spanish West. I would recommend this book. I drove past one of the mission stations mentioned and photographed in the book while traveling in California and I am happy to report it has been beautifully restored with care and thought. The structure itself is much unchanged and is true to its original shape. The book tells of how people lived as wealthy ranchers. The book delves into art, culture, and wars.