Assertion: The Portuguese and Spanish conquest and colonization of Ame...
Assertion: The Portuguese and Spanish conquest and colonization of America was decisively underway by the mid-sixteenth century.
Reason: The most powerful weapon of the Spanish conquerors was the rinderpest.
Explanation:
The assertion is true. By the mid-sixteenth century, the Portuguese and Spanish had already begun their conquest and colonization of America. The Spanish had already established their foothold in Mexico and Peru, and were expanding their territories further.
However, the reason given to support the assertion is incorrect. The most powerful weapon of the Spanish conquerors was not the rinderpest, but their superior military technology and tactics, as well as their alliances with indigenous groups who were enemies of their enemies.
The rinderpest, also known as cattle plague, was a highly contagious viral disease that affected cattle, buffaloes, and other cloven-hoofed animals. It did not play a significant role in the Spanish conquest of America. In fact, it was introduced to America by the Europeans, and had devastating effects on the indigenous populations who had no immunity to the disease.
Therefore, option C is the correct answer. The assertion is true, but the reason given is false.
Assertion: The Portuguese and Spanish conquest and colonization of Ame...
The Spanish conquest and colonization of America was decisively underway by the mid-sixteenth century because of the following reasons.
- It was not with conventional weaponry that the Spanish conquerors won America but with germs like smallpox which was spread into the region.
- America’s original inhabitants had no immunity against these diseases that came from Europe.
- Smallpox was a deadly weapon. It spread deep into the continent before any European could reach there.
- It erased whole communities, leading to conquest.
- This biological warfare in mid-sixteenth century made it easy for Spanish to overpower the Americans.
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