SPANISH CONQUEST OF THE AZTECS

SPANISH CONQUEST OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE The Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire is not only one of the most significant events in the early exploration and conquest of the Americas, but also one of the most significant events in world history. It is an excellent example of the effects of the contact between the New and Old World.

SPANISH CONQUEST OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE Both societies were wealthy and powerful. Both were building their own empires, yet were unknown to each other.

SPANISH CONQUEST OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE The Aztec Empire was a powerful collection of city-states in modern-day Mexico. It began as an alliance of three city-states, which included: Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan. These city-states ruled the area in and around the Mexico Valley from 1428 until they were defeated by the Spanish in 1521.

SPANISH CONQUEST OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE During the period of the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, it was ruled by Montezuma II. He was a priest, scholar, astronomer, and warrior. He would rule over the Empire until his death during the conquest.

SPANISH CONQUEST OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE In the years before the arrival of the Spanish into the territory of the Aztec Empire, the Spanish had been exploring the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean during the European “Age of Exploration”.

SPANISH CONQUEST OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE Spain’s monarchs, Isabella and Ferdinand, were expanding Spain’s influence and prestige by funding expeditions by Spanish explorers. Many of these explorers were driven by a desire to capture as much gold and other precious metals as possible.

SPANISH CONQUEST OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE Hernan Cortes was the Spanish conquistador that led the expedition to explore and conquer the Aztec Empire. At the age of 19, Cortes left Spain in search of fortune in the new Spanish Caribbean colonies.

SPANISH CONQUEST OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE Cortés spent seven successful years on the island of Hispaniola Modern-day Dominican Republic and Haiti. In 1511 he joined Diego Velasquez’s expedition to conquer Cuba. There, Cortés served as a clerk to the treasurer and later as mayor of Santiago.

SPANISH CONQUEST OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE Despite his success, Cortes was hungry for more power and greater thrills. He convinced Velasquez, the governor of Cuba, to let him lead an expedition to Mexico. Velasquez canceled the voyage at the last minute. Ignoring his orders, Cortés set sail with 11 ships and more than 500 men.

SPANISH CONQUEST OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE In 1519, Cortés and his ships reached the Mexican coast at Yucatan. Cortés was met with resistance from the natives he encountered but he and his forces quickly overpowered them. They provided the Europeans with food, supplies and 20 women, including an interpreter called La Malinche.

SPANISH CONQUEST OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE Cortés had heard of the Aztecs and knew that they, and their leader Montezuma II, were a primary force in Mexico. During the march through Mexico, he encountered a group of natives called the Tlaxcalans, who were enemies of the Aztecs. They would become an important ally for Cortés during his siege of Tenochtitlán, the Aztec capital city.

SPANISH CONQUEST OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE Unbeknownst to Cortés, his arrival coincided with an important Aztec prophecy that the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl, whom they credited with the creation of humans among other notable feats, was set to return to Earth. Thinking that Cortés could be Quetzalcoatl, Montezuma greeted the Cortes with great honor.

SPANISH CONQUEST OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE When Montezuma II first heard of the Spanish he sent emissaries with gifts for Cortes. Montezuma was unsure of what to think about Cortes and the Spanish, and was especially confused considering the prophecy of Quetzalcoatl.

SPANISH CONQUEST OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE The Aztecs were fascinated by the Spaniards’ light skin and the sight of men on horseback, which they had never seen before. The Spanish fired shots, which stunned the natives and further intimidated them.

SPANISH CONQUEST OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE Cortes knew he could not defeat the Aztec with only 500 men, so he planned on using the existing political rivalries of the region against the Aztecs. The Tlaxcalans were enemies of the Aztec. They agreed to join forces with Cortes to defeat the Aztec.

SPANISH CONQUEST OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE With the help of La Malinche, Cortes sent a message to Montezuma II that he was coming in peace and wished to meet. Thousands of Aztec warriors protected Montezuma, and he could of ordered the death of Cortes at any time. However, Cortes and his men were treated royally and given luxurious accommodations.

SPANISH CONQUEST OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE Cortes used the opportunity to his advantage and the Spanish soldiers and the Tlaxcalans sacked the Aztec capital, while Cortés took Montezuma hostage. With the help of La Malinche, Cortés manipulated Montezuma and ruled Tenochtitlán through him. However, the power of the Aztec king was dwindling in the eyes of his people. The Aztecs grew ever more resentful of the Spaniards' attacks on their religion and their relentless demands for gold.

SPANISH CONQUEST OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE While Cortés held Tenochtitlán through Montezuma, a Spanish force from Cuba landed on the coast of Mexico. They had been sent by Diego Velasquez to unseat Cortés. When Cortés heard of this, he took a garrison of Spanish and Tlaxcalan soldiers and marched on the Spanish. Cortés defeated the Spanish force, but when he returned to Tenochtitlán he was met with a shock. The Aztecs were in the midst of a full rebellion. Cortés and his men fled the city.

SPANISH CONQUEST OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE During the Spanish conquest, the Aztecs began dying from smallpox that had been brought by the Spanish conquistadors to the New World. Because the disease had never existed in the New World, the Aztecs lacked immunity to the disease. Historians believe that as much as half of the city population of Tenochtitlan may have died from smallpox. The spread of smallpox further destroyed the Aztec societal structures and plunged the culture empire into chaos.

SPANISH CONQUEST OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE Meanwhile, Cortés regrouped and attacked Tenochtitlán in full force in 1521. At that time, the city’s society was in chaos. The Aztecs no longer trusted Montezuma, they were short on food, the smallpox epidemic was under way, and with such a severely weakened population, it was easy for the Spanish to take Tenochtitlán.

SPANISH CONQUEST OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE It is uncertain how Montezuma died. Some scholars state that, disgusted with him, the Aztecs stoned him to death. Other scholars, assert that the Spanish killed him.

SPANISH CONQUEST OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE Once the Aztec city had fallen, Cortés began building Mexico City on the ruins. It quickly became a pre-eminent city in the Spanish colonies and many Europeans came to live there. The Spanish conquest of the Aztec empire was complete. As a result of his success, King Charles I of Spain appointed Cortés as governor of New Spain.