In an initial post of at least 250-300 words, explain the impact of cultural identity as it affected the ways that specific African or indigenous American societies interacted with either the Spanish or Portuguese, as these Europeans sought to establish transatlantic empires over the course of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Cite specific examples from the required and recommended readings, and address at least two of following points as you compose your response:
How would you characterize key elements or tactics used by the Spanish or Portuguese to establish empire? Motives? Results?
How would you characterize key elements or tactics used by specific African or indigenous American societies to define, defend, or advance their own interests when interacting with the Spanish or Portuguese? Motives? Results?
How did specific characteristics of each society coming into contact with each other shape their interactions?
How did imperial rule attempt to extend European norms while simultaneously being forced to adapt to African or indigenous American norms?
In what ways did each group retain elements of its culture or experience changes in its culture over the course of encounter?
