What role did native allies play in the conquests?

Native allies were instrumental in the conquests, providing manpower, local knowledge, and strategic advantages to the conquerors.

In the context of conquests, native allies often played a crucial role. They were not merely passive observers but active participants who significantly influenced the outcomes of these historical events. Their involvement was multifaceted, encompassing military support, intelligence gathering, and diplomatic manoeuvring.

One of the most significant contributions of native allies was the provision of manpower. Conquerors often found themselves in foreign lands, vastly outnumbered by the local population. Native allies, with their intimate knowledge of the terrain and local customs, could provide the necessary military support to tip the balance in favour of the invaders. For instance, during the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, Hernán Cortés allied with Tlaxcala, a rival city-state of the Aztecs, which provided him with thousands of warriors.

Native allies also provided invaluable local knowledge. This included information about the geography of the area, the best routes for travel, and the locations of resources. Such knowledge could mean the difference between success and failure in a military campaign. For example, during the British conquest of India, the East India Company relied heavily on local allies for their understanding of the complex political and social landscape of the region.

Strategic advantages were another crucial contribution of native allies. They could help establish alliances with other local groups, negotiate with local leaders, and even act as intermediaries in diplomatic negotiations. In some cases, native allies were used to legitimise the rule of the conquerors. For instance, Pocahontas, a native American woman, was used by the English settlers in Virginia to establish peaceful relations with the Powhatan Confederacy.

In conclusion, native allies played a pivotal role in the conquests. Their contributions were not limited to the battlefield but extended to the realms of diplomacy, strategy, and intelligence. Their involvement underscores the complexity of these historical events, which were not merely a clash of cultures but a complex interplay of alliances, betrayals, and power dynamics.