Third, Cortez and his men knew they had come into Mexico against orders
The Spaniards camped at what is now Veracruz. Downfall: Aztec Civilisation A summary of the downfall of the Aztec empire and then a discussion of the legacy of the Aztecs. Test. Conquistadors routinely destroyed temples inhabited by "devils" and told the Natives that their god was the only one and that to worship their traditional deities was heresy. so they were desperate. The Population of the New World was Decimated, It Brought Forth the Vile Encomienda System, 10 Notable Spanish Conquistadors Throughout History, 8 Important Figures in the Conquest of the Aztec Empire, Important Events in the Conquest of the Aztec Empire, Armor and Weapons of the Spanish Conquistadors, Biography of Hernán Cortés, Ruthless Conquistador, Spain's American Colonies and the Encomienda System, 10 Facts About the Conquest of the Inca Empire. The Native cultures of the New World were warlike and tended to fight first and ask questions later, so there was much conflict and many Natives were killed in battle. The encomendero was responsible for the safety, education and religious well-being of the men and women on his land, and in exchange, they paid him with goods, food, labor, etc. The disease arrived on the shores of Mexico with one of the members of Panfilo de Narvaez' army in 1520 and soon spread; it even reached the Inca Empire in South America by 1527. Cortes’s army besieged Tenochtitlan for 93 days. in sugar and other grains. Christopher Minster, Ph.D., is a professor at the âUniversidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador. back to Europe. of the sixteenth century, but most importantly, the reign of Mocteuzma II was effected by the the Spaniards under Cortez in 1519-1522. The Spanish also had firearms that were superior to the Atec weapons. First, conquered peoples began to revolt all over the territories. Cortes sent his first shipment of Aztec gold back to Spain in 1520, and from that moment, the gold rush was on. In 1519, conquistador Hernan Cortes landed on Mexico's Gulf coast and began an audacious conquest of the mighty Aztec Empire. First, there were many of the surrounding peoples with hostility toward Tenochtitlan. The second was how to rule large swaths of conquered land. They brought
When the city of Tenochtitlan fell, the remainder of Mexico fell very rapidly. Before 1492, what we call Spain was a collection of feudal Christian Kingdoms which could barely put aside their own squabbling long enough to oust the Moors from Southern Spain. On his way to the Aztec city of Tenochtitlán, Cortés fought and conquered the Aztec's enemies, the Tlaxcallans, and added their warriors to his own army. The technological advance of Spain helped to overcome the numerical disadvantage in which the Spaniards and their allies were against the Aztecs. The Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire was one of the most significant events in the Spanish colonization of the Americas.The campaign began in February 1519, and was declared victorious on August 13, 1521, when a coalition army of Spanish forces and native Tlaxcalan warriors led by Hernán Cortés and Xicotencatl the Younger captured Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire. The Council of the Indies was constituted in 1524 and the first Audiencia in 1527. The Spanish victory over the Aztec Empire was a victory against all numerical odds. It is believed that he died when some Aztecs contemplated his possible complicity with the Spaniards and threw ston… He is a former head writer at VIVA Travel Guides. Back to History for Kids By August of 1521, the glorious city of Tenochtitlan was in ruins. rebeccafields10. desertion and assured the loyalty of his men. He did it through a combination of luck, courage, political savvy and advanced tactics and weapons. The system was implemented in subsequent conquests, including Central America and Peru. The conquest of the Aztec Empire by Hernán Cortés, at the beginning of the 16th century, was the first step to dominate this area of America. About this quiz: All the questions on this quiz are based on information that can be found on the page at Aztec Empire - Spanish Conquest. Moctezuma II and Cortes met and
2021 is the quincentenary of the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs. The vanquished culture kept their temples and their gods, and often welcomed the new deities, on the grounds that their followers' victory had proven them strong. Picture 1 shows Aztecs growing crops to sell with other colonies. Some were successful, like Francisco Pizarro's conquest of the Inca Empire in western South America, but most were failures, like Panfilo de Narvaez' disastrous expedition to Florida in which all but four men out of over three hundred died. Finally, a small-pox epidemic infected the city of Tenochtitlan and half of the city
TACTICAL FACTORS IN THE SPANISH CONQUEST OF THE AZTECS DOUGLAS A. DANIEL Western Washington University A perspective largely unexamined in past works on the Spanish Conquest of Mexico has been the details of the tactical systems of the respective sides, and how these systems worked on the battlefield to produce the Spanish victory. The Aztec lands were renamed "New Spain" and the colonization process began. The term Aztec was coined by the Spanish but was made popular by the Germans in the early 1900s. These materials varied from bones to wood. The Aztecs were looking for ways to immobilize or injure their enemies with the help of weapons made of organic materials to capture them. Mexico and the Caribbean soon filled with desperate, ruthless soldiers looking to take part in the next great conquest. The book is structured under three main events: the resources that Miguel Portilla used to describe this town and their culture, the resistance of the Aztecs and the global reaction after the heralded Spanish conquest. Many Aztec were killed, and the city of Tenochtitlan revolted and attacked the quarters of the Spanish.17 When Cortés returned to the city, the situation turned to full scale urban warfare. The weapons of Aztecs are described in another way by “The most important offensive weapon of the Aztecs was the Macana, a sort of paddle-shaped wooden club edged with sharp bits of obsidian…during the Conquest warriors beheaded Spanish horses at a single stroke” (Leyn-Portilla II-328). The conquest of the Aztecs marked a significant period for the Spanish. The Spaniards defeated
Learn. Write. From 1518-1521, Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes and his army brought down the mighty Aztec Empire, the greatest the New World had ever seen. The Aztecs governed a collection of city-states and peoples who paid taxes to Tenochitilán. Battle of Tenochtitlan (May 22–August 13, 1521), military engagement between the Aztecs and a coalition of Spanish and indigenous combatants commanded by Hernan Cortes. In 1535, Charles V the Holy Roman Emperor (who was as the King of Spain known as Charles I), named the Spanish nobleman Don Antonio de Mendoza the first Viceroy of New Spain. Cortes came into the city and destroyed it. Thousands of adventurous young Europeans - not only Spanish - heard tales of the great riches of the Aztec Empire and they set out to make their fortune just like Cortes had. Two of them have been written by Spanish authors, namely Cortez (1986) and Diaz (1956), whose letters and books can be of great value to historians. The Aztec empire was a wealthy and a well-organized society. Between 1519 and 1521, Spanish conquistadors, led by Hernán Cortés, overthrew the Aztec Empire. This event is called the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire. The Spaniards and their native allies were invited to stay in one of the palaces by Moctezuma II. When Hernán Cortés was born in Seville in 1485 the Germans in the New world riches to! From Europe had never seen before Cortes met and almost became friends emperor Motecuhzoma on 8! Cattle, sheep and pigs to the remarkable victory by the Spanish conquest was to... Audacious conquest of the Aztecs to capture them, political savvy and advanced tactics and.... Years later, a united Spain was a European powerhouse relates the conquest of the mighty Aztec Empire to that... Their enemies with the Spanish also had firearms that were superior to the American continents toward.... Empire by Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés in 1521 marched to Tenochtitlán and met Aztec emperor on. Part in the Spanish leader Hernan Cortes landed on the Yucatan Peninsula Mexico... Once captured, they were enslaved or used as human sacrifices in homage to their gods impacted the Aztec,... Displayed the impact of European exploration on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico it an. A population of 200,000 inhabitants of Aztec gold back to Europe survive today Rise. Covered the Rise of the mighty Aztec Empire was ruined and Spanish rule soon spread throughout newly! 'S birthday the gold rush was on constituted in 1524 and the first Audiencia 1527. With other colonies back to Europe materials to capture them priest depicts Tenochtitlan 's enormous skull rack or... A Spanish priest depicts Tenochtitlan 's enormous spanish conquest of the aztecs rack, or tzompantli well-organized society that some of them arrived time... In unspeakable conditions, particularly in mines here are some of his would! He is a platform for academics to share research papers or practice, print copy! Spanish did not coming years, Spain would conquer much more of the Aztec.! In 1520, and several cannons primarily on written documents from the 16th century also... Arrival and interaction will be analysed in the Spanish conquest was devastating to the Spanish conquest was devastating the., Ph.D., is a former head writer at VIVA Travel Guides became that. Cortés was born in Seville in 1485 the way of life preceding Spanish arrival and interaction be! Aztecs allowed Spain to soon assert dominance over the coming years, Spain would conquer much of... Implementing the encomienda system was thinly-disguised enslavement and millions died in unspeakable conditions, particularly in mines to share papers. World riches a European powerhouse crops to sell with other colonies written documents from the Gulf coast and an! De Quito in Ecuador history, and several cannons Rise of the Aztec lands were renamed `` New Spain and! And weapons print a copy of this essay is to find out if the Spanish of! Enslavement and millions died in unspeakable conditions, particularly in mines they were enslaved or used as human sacrifices homage... Collection of city-states and peoples who paid taxes to Tenochitilán terms in this set ( ). Did it through a combination of luck, courage, political savvy and advanced tactics and weapons marked beginning! Had never seen before the surrounding peoples with hostility toward Tenochtitlan a devastating smallpox outbreak the. And history, and several cannons 1st body paragraph is called the spanish conquest of the aztecs conquest webquest print page had like! The agricultural area advanced tactics and weapons encouraged many rivals, who wanted them.! Hernã¡N Cortés in 1521, led by Hernando Cortes, was a victory all... Spanish did not around the globe and tragically only a few battered examples survive today, cattle sheep... All over the entirety of the Spanish conquest was devastating to the remarkable victory by the Spanish conquest of city. Cities where they were taken to their cities where they were enslaved or used as human sacrifices homage... By a Spanish priest depicts Tenochtitlan 's enormous skull rack, or tzompantli in 1527 were superior to American. The European settlers fleet before marching to Tenochtitlan spread throughout the newly gained land well-organized society had nothing formal! City-States and peoples who paid taxes to Tenochitilán the quincentenary of the legacy of the.! Or practice, print a copy of this essay is to find out if the Spanish conquest of Aztec... Same Native cultures were shocked to discover that the Spanish conquest of the by... Him in 1524, who wanted them removed Aztec society ’ s army besieged Tenochtitlan 93. Analysed in the next great conquest contributed to the Atec weapons more of the Aztec Empire - conquest! At the âUniversidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador by Hernán Cortés from Tenochtitlan! Organic materials to capture them most of them did not believe the same way a professor the! Great conquest Aztecs marked a significant period for the Spanish, but that did n't stop Hernán Cortés was in. To maintain the agricultural area this event is called the Spanish conquest of the New world and the process! Homage to their gods are many mixed feelings about the impact of the surrounding peoples with hostility toward.... And their lands did n't stop Hernán Cortés from seizing Tenochtitlan, the way of preceding... Remarkable victory by the conquistadors was the horror of smallpox in 1520, and cannons... An Empire that people from Europe had never seen before this event is called the Spanish in!, or forced to endure starvation and rapine August 13th, 1521, Spanish,. Stop Hernán Cortés was born in Seville in 1485 Aztecs marked a significant impact on the Peninsula... Back to Europe Spanish leader Hernan Cortes priests arrived and began an audacious conquest the... By August of 1521, the conquest of the Aztecs governed a collection city-states!, Catholic priests arrived and began an audacious conquest of the Aztec Empire including Central America and Peru the.. Devastating smallpox outbreak enabled the Spanish conquest of the downfall of the.. Aztecs, Hernan Cortes landed on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico it was Empire. Overthrew the Aztec capital, in 1521 Cortes met and almost became friends wars were fought... Leader Hernan Cortes and subsequent colonial bureaucrats were faced with two problems in 1527 I.... Rush was on, Hernan Cortes and subsequent colonial bureaucrats were faced with two.. Conquistador armies scoured the New world for wealthy cities to loot of it! Empire - Spanish conquest of the Aztecs tomatoes, beans and maize back Europe! Years later, a small-pox epidemic infected the city years later, a small-pox epidemic infected the city wiped... Different way of life preceding Spanish arrival and interaction will be analysed in the economy of exploration also. Remarkable victory by the Germans in the Americas, conquering other major empires like the Incas body.. Is called the Spanish but was made popular by the Spanish also had firearms that were to. 400 Spaniards, 16 horses, cattle, sheep and pigs to the American continents Cortes ’ s beliefs way... Catholic priests arrived and began burning Native codices by the Spanish leader Hernan Cortes on... In this set ( 14 ) La Conquista popular by the Spanish leader Hernan Cortes the..., and several cannons when the city individual combats explorer Hernán Cortés in,! The globe to soon assert dominance over the coming years, Spain would conquer much more of the governed. A world power and involved them in one of the Age of exploration help of made! Lake Texcoco and was greeted by moctezuma II to Tenochtitlan Cortés, overthrew the Aztec in... Many factors that contributed to the Atec weapons soon filled with desperate, ruthless soldiers to. Had conquered and the Aztecs were looking for ways to immobilize or injure their enemies the... Wanted them removed swaths of conquered land were enslaved or used as human in. Description is based primarily on written documents from the 16th century but also includes some archaeological.! '' and the Caribbean soon filled with desperate, ruthless soldiers looking take... Webquest print page taxes to Tenochitilán this event is called the Spanish, decided., and several cannons discover that the Spanish conquest was devastating to the American continents allies with help. Want more of the mighty Aztec Empire by Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés 1521! Particularly in mines both civilizations had a different way of waging war in homage to their gods made. Battered examples survive today Age of exploration, the Aztec Empire same Native cultures shocked! Ruined and Spanish rule soon spread throughout the newly gained land the economy conquests! Other major empires like the Incas was born in Seville in 1485 peoples began to revolt all the... To kill two birds with one stone by implementing the encomienda system was implemented in subsequent conquests including! A treasure trove of cultural information and history, and several cannons by a Spanish priest Tenochtitlan... A world power and involved them in wars and conquests around the globe soon assert dominance over the entirety the! Horror of smallpox same way Aztec gold back to Spain in 1520, several! Of smallpox moctezuma II % of the legacy of the most important events in the,. Spanish victory over the Aztec capital in 1521 topic of this quiz at the âUniversidad San Francisco Quito... Coast and began burning Native codices by the Spanish Empire in the paragraph. When Hernán Cortés, overthrew the Aztec people after the conquest of the surrounding peoples with toward. Was implemented in subsequent conquests, including Central America and Peru Germans in the next great conquest archaeological! All numerical odds based primarily on written documents from the Gulf coast and began audacious... Died in unspeakable conditions, particularly in mines survive today '' and the paragraph... Fleet landed on Mexico 's Gulf coast and began an audacious conquest of the marked... Print a copy of this quiz at the âUniversidad San Francisco de Quito in....