There Goes The Neighborhood.

Perhaps one of the most famous instances of two cultures coming together is the Spanish conquistador Cortez encountering the Aztec people in Mexico, some 500 years ago. Obviously this was a relationship that did not end well for a few reasons. Cortez came to the New World not knowing what he would find, but looking for land to claim and conquer for his country and to spread Catholicism. He met the Aztecs and when he attempted to convert them, they refused. Cortez fought them with more advanced weapons and killed or enslaved them. Also, unbeknownst to the Aztecs, Cortez and his crew brought European diseases (mainly smallpox) over from the other side of the pond and wiped out a huge amount of the Aztec population. The conflict eventually ended some years later with a large decrease in Aztec numbers and Cortez conquering the land for Spain.

But of course, not every time that cultures collide do conflict and tragedy occur. For instance, the early Paleolithic peoples (nomads) were able to trade peacefully with each other for thousands of years, often relying on staples the other cultures had and therefore could trade for the necessary supplies. Granted, different Paleolithic cultures were a lot more similar than Cortez and the Aztecs, but still, the lesson is still there.

You'll have to forgive me about all this random history, I just finished studying for AP World and I guess I'm still thinking about it. The point is, when cultures come together, they definitely don't always get along. Sure it worked out for the Paleolithic tribes, but more recently with Cortez and the Aztecs, they fought and they fought until one side eventually won. It's very interesting to see how different peoples and different cultures react to each other. And no matter how it turns out, at least I'll be able to put in my two cents about it here :)