Conquistadors

I love conquistadors.  For me they are on the same level as astronauts, war heros, and olympians.

Many history teachers and textbooks, especially the ones who think they are particularly worldly, like to bash conquistadores, fitting them in the same category as slave drivers, mass-mudurers, and polluters.  To feel good on the inside, they like to take the side of the natives, elaborating on all the injustices they faced at the hands of the cruel conquistadors.

The main flaw with viewpoint is that it characterizes the native peoples as helpless, innocent, peacepipe-smoking, nature-loving hippies.  Just think of the movie Avatar, but less blue.

Conquistadors are the pinnacle of adventurers, sailing across uncharted waters for weeks on end, slashing their way through unmarked jungles, wielding swords, capes, and fancy hats.  They introduced the modern world to isolated peoples, exposing them to advanced technologies and cultures.

Despite the bad reputation they receive, conquistadores were some of the most fearless men, and their role of exploring the New World was undeniably crucial to the development of the Americas.