Aztecs and Spanish Conquistadors

Study Notes

Spanish Conquistadors and Aztecs

European expansion in the 1500s led to exploration for territorial control; Spanish focused on increasing their empire.
Hernan Cortés, a prominent Spanish explorer, began his expedition around 1519 CE and conquered the Aztecs by 1521.
The Aztecs, known as Mexica, were not the only civilization in the region; they coexisted with the Tlaxcaltecs and Tetzcocans who had formed alliances.
An alliance formed in 1428 consisted of the Tetzcocans, Aztecs, and Tlacopan aimed at mutual protection and trade, but conflicts were common.
Over time, the Aztecs grew powerful and became a target for rival city-states that were unhappy with their dominance.
Many local tribes allied with Cortés against the Aztecs due to grievances over tribute demands; they sought to keep more resources for themselves.
Montezuma II, the Aztec leader, initially refused to meet with Cortés and ordered him to leave, creating tension.
A language barrier hindered communication until Cortés captured Doña Marina, who spoke Maya, Nahuatl, and Spanish, facilitating negotiations.
Spanish law dictated that Cortés capture Montezuma upon entering Tenochtitlan, though accounts differ on the timeline of this event.
After an initial expulsion from Tenochtitlan, Cortés returned with local allies; during this siege, Montezuma was killed.
Following Montezuma's death, Spanish forces ultimately claimed victory, leading to significant Aztec casualties from warfare and introduced diseases.
The region was renamed New Spain, marking a significant milestone in Spanish conquest history.

Key Themes and Questions

Local resentment and unrest against Aztec rule empowered Cortés.
The aggressive expansion of the Aztecs alienated other city-states that formed alliances against them.
Cortés's initial allowance into Tenochtitlan led to a temporary setback resulting in his expulsion.
Doña Marina's role in aiding the Spanish raises questions about loyalty and betrayal from different cultural perspectives.
Words like "target" refer to the Aztecs being seen as an enemy, making them a focal point for other cities’ grievances.
Montezuma may have viewed Cortés as a threat or invader, prompting his refusal to engage directly.
"Ensuing" can be replaced with synonyms like "subsequent" or "following."
"Slaughtered" conveys the brutal nature of the Spanish conquest against the Aztecs.
Many Aztecs succumbed to diseases like smallpox introduced by the Spanish, significantly contributing to their population decline.