One of the most advanced civilizations of the ancient world was thriving for centuries in Central America. This empire had built magnificent temples, was plentiful with gold and silver, and was brought to its knees by the Spaniards. The Aztecs. This mysterious, unworldly nation was destroyed in less than a month’s time. The Spaniards, who erased hundreds of years of history and culture, were honored and held in high regard, but at a price. The destruction and carnage that the Spaniards left across the once majestic empire, was the heinous crime of genocide.
The Aztecs reigned from the twelfth century to the fifteenth century. Their fist city, the Aztec capital, was called Tenochtitlan. Tenochtitlan was the military power and was in charge of
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They had heard of gold and other riches there and wanted to see it for themselves. There was an expedition planned, but it was cancelled due to rising costs (Palfrey). The leader of the expedition wanted to go anyway, despite the cancelation, so he gathered up a crew and set sail (Palfrey). The Spaniards made their way through Central America and entered the Aztec empire. They had made many allies, including some cities belonging to the Aztec empire who wanted to bring down the government for sacrificing people (Aztec History). Hernan Cortes led this expedition (Palfrey).
When the Aztec Emperor, Moctezuma II, received word of these pale skinned visitors, his advisors reminded him of an ancient prophecy that foretold the coming of Quetzalcoátl, an evil, fair skinned god that would return to take back his kingdom (Palfrey). Moctezuma II decided to send gifts to these newcomers, but told them to stay away from Tenochtitlan because of the noxious journey (Palfrey). Cortes accepted these gifts, but saw them as a sign of wealth and took his men to the capital city to find more riches
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He came back to find the native people rebelling and rioting. Cortes tried to calm the population by making Moctezuma II stand on top of a temple and talk to the mass. The Aztecs were far too splenetic to be reasoned with, they started throwing stones and arrows at their former emperor. Moctezuma II was killed (Palfrey). Moctezuma’s heir was a young man by the name of Cuitláhuac. He ordered the Aztec people to make a full scale attack on the Spaniards. The Spanish decided to sneak out at night before their opponents had a chance to attack, this night would later be known as the Sad Night. An alarm was sounded and the Aztecs leaped into action to capture the pale skinned Invaders. It was a devastating loss for the Spaniards. Hundreds of soldiers were taken prisoner, fell into canals and drowned, and were slaughtered by the natives. Cortes fell to his knees, and wept (Palfrey). Very few soldiers had escaped, but the ones able to get away, including Cortes, were not done with Tenochtitlan just yet. The Spaniards retreated into Tlaxcalan territory and regrouped. They got reinforcements and trained for months, preparing to launch another attack soon. They came up with a new strategy. They would take over the surrounding Aztec cities rather than going straight for the capital. They were successful in this approach
The Aztecs, part of modern day Mexico, were once the epitome of fine culture. They began their rule of southern and central Mexico during the 14th century and practiced an incredibly wealthy lifestyle. Nonetheless, this rule began to deteriorate when Spanish explorers disembarked at Tabasco and Vera Cruz on April 21st 1519. When the Spanish voyagers first arrived, they were welcomed warmly, respectfully and received Godlike treatment. Montezuma, the ruler at that time, believed that the Spanish military leader, Hernán Cortés, was the great god Quetzalcoatl. The Spanish took advantage of this Aztec belief and conquered Mexico within two years. By 1521, the Aztec culture was officially eradicated and a new culture, consisting of a
Another reason that I think Moctezuma was excited about Hernan cortes is because he told Cortes to enjoy his palace and rest his body. Also since he was told this I believe that Moctezuma was
In Mexico, Cortez claimed the land for Spain and prepared to take down the Mayans and their leader, Montezuma II. He acquired an interpreter and mistress from natives at Tabasco and then teamed up with the Tlaxcalans, enemies of the Aztecs. He and his men marched through Mexico and began the Siege of Tenochtitlan.
His brother in law Hernán Cortés leads the third trip, the trip gets cancelled but Cortés leaves anyways. This results in Diego having to order for treason, which equals to death for Cortés. So when Cortés reaches Vera Cruz in March 1519 he names himself, mayor, he then gives the crew no option to go back to Cuba because he burns the ships, its Victory or Death. In Vera Cruz Cortés almost gets killed but he tears down the major pyramid. As the Aztecs kept their army on hand ready for battle, the Spaniards were on their way to Tenochtitlan with 450 troops in company. On the road to Tenochtitlan they found the Aztecs blocked the roads with large trees in order to slow down any enemy troops but they were unopposed. Now while the Spanish were coming there was a legend about a white man with a beard that was Quetzalcoatl coming back. This is the reason the Aztecs even let the Spanish in was because Cortés was a pale white man with a beard. The Spanish feared and were intimidated how the Aztecs ruled but Cortés was greeted with gift of gold and silver from Montezuma the leader at the time. The people hoped the gifts would please the Spanish and make them either go away or to just satisfy them. The gold they were given only made the Spanish want to enter the city even more; they had a passion for gold. After they took Montezuma as prisoner they made him act like
This particular story is like a complementary to the note lectures about the Aztecs. Also, this lecture help to understand
When Moctezuma and Cortes first met I believe that Moctezuma welcomed Cortes as the new leader of the Aztec’s. Based off of the documents I have read and the video I watched, I believe that is what happened. Moctezuma welcomed Cortes as the new king and told him they had been waiting for him. Both documents A and B provided me with details of their first meeting. In document A, it states that Moctezuma tells Cortes that the Aztecs have learned about the descendents of their natural leader before would one day return.
Cortes challenged the native forces and entered Tenochtitlan taking the Aztec leader, Montezuma, as their hostage, this led to the uprising. However, both the Spanish and the Aztecs were superior in regards to their communication, their religion and their weapons.
Cortes and his men arrived in Tenochtitlan November 1519, he was chosen to lead an expedition in search of wealth of the Aztecs. Hernan Cortes was a Spanish conquistador who caused the fall of the Aztec Empire. He was accompanied with a woman named Dona Marina. She was able to speak Aztec language and became a translator to Cortes. Cortes founded a settlement called Vera Cruz, declaring himself as the leader of the colony and planned to attack the city of Tenochtitlan. Cortes and his men approached to Tenochtitlan. During the journey, the Spaniards defeated other tribes so they could pass safely through. When Cortes arrived at Tenochtitlan, he was greeted as honoured and was offered gifts of gold by Montezuma. Due to the light-skinned that
The Aztec people are strong and resourceful people when it comes to survival. They have been in a lot of wars but they still survive over all. It all ended with their leader Cuauhtémoc he was hung by Spaniards in 1525. Before Cuauhtémoc there was Montezuma II Motecuhzoma Xocoyoti the ninth Tlatoani of Tenochtitlan Ruler of the Aztec Triple Alliance.
By reexamining aspects central to the demise of the Aztec rather than relying on outdated analysis, this purpose is valuable because it intends to offer new perspectives concerning Aztec politics and cultural influence. However, because Brinkerhoff’s analysis of Cortes and the Aztecs is given in a contemporary - and therefore non-objective - perspective, the purpose is limited.
Moctezuma II, historically referred to as the ninth emperor of Tenochtitlan in 1502, was said to have been a ruler who “was considered to be both man and god.” Alternately, according to a significant dominant viewpoint by Charles Phillips, an esteemed contemporary historian, Moctezuma has proven to have “lost the confidence of his people.” Moctezuma II was a man who manipulated power to exercise military, political, economic and social control in the Ancient Aztec society at an attempt to benefit himself at the cost of his people. This theory has been accurately represented historically through the analysis of various archaeological sources. Moctezuma’s personal life, including his military, political and economic accomplishments; together
When Moctezuma met Cortes did not trust him at first. The reason being is because his looked very sketchy. But the Aztecs said to trust him. So Moctezuma trusted Cortes and passed the thrown down to him. The reason why it happened so fast they said that because there was a tail that said that one day their true leader so that’s what they thought about Cortes, he’s the one. From that point on it was fine until something happened. The Aztecs attacked Moctezuma. During the battle, Moctezuma was killed and at that very moment Cortes became the true leader and took his position. The aztecs lost that battle, they didn’t know how to react. The Aztecs became slaves for Cortes. All slaves were forced into becoming christians. Today, in spain, holds
While Cortés was ruling the city a Spanish force was set to kill Cortes for Cuba by Diego Velasquez. The army landed on the cost of Mexico, when Cortes herd of the new, he got his men and some Aztec warriors to stop them. Cortés defeated the Spanish force, but when he returned to Tenochtitlán he was met with a shock. The Aztecs were in a full rebellion. Cortés and his men fled the city.
In June, fighting erupted in the capital. One night was named "Noche Trista" meaning sad night in Spanish, because Cortes
When the Spaniards arrived at the New World, they were just a small group on a new frontier. Their minds were set on a goal to conquer and become wealthy. Their only obstacle was the Aztecs and Incas. Despite the factor or numbers being a disadvantage, other factors allowed them to win a seemingly impossible battle. The first factor is when a man named Hernán Cortés established communication with the nearby communities. The Aztec Emperor, Moctezuma, believed Cortés to be the god Quetzalcoatl which was supposed to return to them after being driven away. This enabled the Spaniards to have the element of surprise when they attacked. Before they attacked, Cortés was smart to forge an alliance with enemies of the Aztecs to aid the Spaniard assault.