1. Lesson 16 Cortés’s Consolidation of Power
5mins
Aim: to develop an understanding of the ways in which Cortes consolidated control over the Aztec kingdoms.
Key words:
Consolidate =
Popes
– Pope Alexander VI
– Pope Leo X
– Pope Adrian VI
– Pope Clementine VII

2. Thinking Back…
10 mins
Whilst watching the clip, identify the event on your timeline that proved to be a turning point in:
The Spanish losing control of Tenochtitlán - 2 reasons
Cortés ultimately gaining victory over the Aztecs - 2 reasons

3. Cortes as governor
Read Pearson p and discuss the questions below.
How did Charles I try to control Cortes in New Spain.
In what ways did Cortes control the Aztecs?
What method of control do you think would be most effective?
Why was Velazquez keen to destroy Cortes?
What rumours of greed reached Spain from the New World?
Why was Charles I worried about Cortes?
15mins 2

4. Reading p 59 – 61 complete the chart
How did Cortes strengthen control?
Describe with one fact:
Explain how this enabled the Spanish to control the Aztecs in New Spain:
Killing Aztecs
Leaders and priests were hanged.
This enabled the Spanish to control the Aztecs in New Spain because…
Tribute
Mexico City
Encomienda System
New Communities
Agriculture
Industry
Christianity
Reading p 59 – 61 complete the chart
Your descriptions should be brief bullet points.
Your explanations should be one sentence long.
15mins

5. Add Long Term/Short Term, themes.
Extension task: Diamond Eight to show what the most important factors were in Cortes extending the Spanish empire of New Spain, to the Aztec Kingdom.
Add Long Term/Short Term, themes.

6. 5 mins
Make a spider diagram showing why Cortes was removed as governor of New Spain.

7. Plenary: Discuss these with your neighbour:
How did Cortes defeat the Aztecs?
What factor was the most important in ensuring Cortes’ defeat of the Aztecs?
Cortes could not have defeated the Aztecs without the help of native people. DO you agree or disagree?
Disease played no part in Cortes’ success. Do you agree or disagree?
Charles I was a fool to remove Cortes as governor. Do you agree or disagree?

8. Homework: Explain the importance of Cortes as governor in the Spanish creating an empire in Mexico.
5 mins
Question 3: Explain the importance of… (8 marks)
[POINT] _______ was important for (WFTQ)… because…
[EVIDENCE] Evidence to support this is…
[EXPLAIN] This shows that (WFTQ) was important for (WFTQ) because…
Therefore…

9. Homework
Complete the A3 Sheet Ex