A Plague of Sheep Environmental Consequences of the Conquest of Mexico [Hardcover]

Taking as a case study the sixteenth-century history of a region of highland central Mexico, this book is about the biological conquest of the New World.Taking as a case study the sixteenth century history of a region of highland central Mexico, this text reveals how the environmental and social changes brought about by the introduction of Old World grazing species aided European expansion by enabling the Spanish takeover of land.Taking as a case study the sixteenth century history of a region of highland central Mexico, this text reveals how the environmental and social changes brought about by the introduction of Old World grazing species aided European expansion by enabling the Spanish takeover of land.This is a book about the biological conquest of the New World. Taking as a case study the sixteenth century history of a region of highland central Mexico, it shows how the environmental and social changes brought about by the introduction of Old World species aided European expansion. The book spells out in detail the environmental changes associated with the introduction of Old World grazing animals into New World ecosystems, demonstrates how these changes enabled the Spanish takeover of land, and explains how environmental changes shaped the colonial societies.Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Alien landscapes; 3. The Australian experience; 4. The Mexican case; 5. The conquest process; 6. The colonial regime; Appendix 1. Sub-areas; Appendix 2. Sources for population estimates; Appendix 3. Sources for land holding and land use; Abbreviations; Glossary; Bibliography. ...a very important book for all those interested in Latin American history....a very important work because it opens up a debate that should help us better understand the processes of European conquest throughout Latin America. Erick D. Langer, The Americas Melville's book does a great service....All in all, the book truly contributes to an historical profession that too often sees nature in terms ofl£f