1. The Defeat of the Aztec Empire
Travelers of the Past:
The Defeat of the Aztec Empire

2. Desire to Travel
Spain and Portugal knew about India and China long before they knew of the Americas
They wanted to travel for three reasons:
the desire for wealth and glory
to tame the “savages” of other lands
the bring new knowledge back to their native countries

3. Diego Velasquez Spanish governor of Cuba
Cuba needed help: not enough resources or slave labor
Velasquez sent people into Mesoamerica to explore resources
Cuba heard of great riches somewhere in Mesoamerica

4. Hernan Cortes Left Spain at age 19
Sent by Velasquez to explore the Yucatan and find the wealth
Set sail in 1519
Cubans served as infantry under Cortes
Once there, renounced the authority of Velasquez and founded own city
Cortes decided to conquer Mexico in its entirety

5. Journey to Tenochtitlan
Cortes found natives who were hostile to the Aztecs
They joined forces
Residents of Tenochtitlan believed him to be the white-skinned god Quetzalcoatlin
Aztec emperor Moctezuma welcomed him warmly and showered him with gifts

6. Things change with Moctezuma
Good relationship with Moctezuma did not last long
Cortes captured and jailed the Aztec emperor
Spanish troops massacred Aztecs during a religious ceremony
The Aztecs revolted

7. Defeat Cortes and his troops were pushed back for a period of time
They returned to Tenochtitlan in 1521
Spanish troops set up a blockade to deny food and water to the Aztecs
Smallpox had also weakened the Aztecs
Cortes defeated the natives and destroyed the city

8. Effects of Travel
Spanish brought potato, pineapple, turkey, dahlias, sunflowers, magnolias, maize, chilies, and chocolate
They also brought smallpox, measles, and other diseases
African slave trade started by Europeans
Europeans brought Christianity

9. Comprehension Page
Name one reason the Spanish and Portuguese wanted to travel.
Why did the Cuban governor send Cortes to the Yucatan peninsula?
What did Cortes do once he arrived in present-day Mexico?
Why did Moctezuma greet Cortes warmly?
How did Cortes finally defeat the Aztecs in Tenochtitlan?
Name two effects of Cortes’ travels and conquests in Mexico.

10. Works Cited Google. com www. eirc. org/GlobalCon/ birds
Works Cited Google.com birds.html Image of wood thrush from Google images Google.com Image of Aztec dancer from Google images Google.com Map of Aztec empire from Google images

11. Google. com www. aztec-empire
Google.com Image of Moctezuma from Google images Google.com Map of Tenochtitlan from Google images Google.com Information on Spanish conquering Aztecs; information on Spanish reasons for exploration Google.com Information on long-term effects of Spanish exploration

12. Google. com home. earthlink
Google.com home.earthlink.net Image of boat from Google images Google.com Image of Cortes from Google images Google.com mexico.htm Image of Aztec gold Google.com Image of Cortes and infantry

13. Google. com www. d23. org/sullivan/travis/ Explorer%20Book/cortes
Google.com Explorer%20Book/cortes.htm Image of Cortes in battle on horse Google.com html Image of Diego Velasquez