Spanish Conquest of the Aztec Empire

• Spain's westward expansion sought gold, glory, and God.
• Spain exchanged culture and trade due to its location between Africa and Europe.
• The Reconquista reclaimed Spain from Muslim rule by 1492.
• The Spanish Inquisition enforced religious unity by persecuting non-Catholics.
• Spain's military prowess came from battlefield strategies developed during the Reconquista
• Spain needed wealth because of funding wars.

Meeting and Conquest

• Hernán Cortés arrived in Mexico in 1519 seeking conquest, bringing soldiers, horses and ships.
• The Aztec Empire was ruled by Moctezuma II, collecting tribute from surrounding tribes.
• Cortés allied with Aztec enemies like the Tlaxcalans and Totonacs for warriors.
• Moctezuma hesitated to attack, possibly believing Cortés was a returning god, Quetzalcoatl.
• The Spanish were amazed by the size and beauty of Tenochtitlan.
• Cortés took Moctezuma hostage with growing tensions culminating in the massacre of Aztec nobles at a religious event, sparking an Azeri uprising.
• La Noche Triste saw the Spanish suffer heavy losses while attempting to flee; Moctezuma died.
• Smallpox spread among the Aztecs, leading to the death of thousands and weakening their ability to fight.
• Tenochtitlan fell to the Spanish on August 13, 1521.

Factors in Spanish Victory

• Advanced Spanish weaponry consisted of steel swords, firearms, and cannons.
• The Aztecs had never seen horses before.
• Cortés formed alliances with Aztec enemies.
• Smallpox decimated the Aztecs.
• Moctezuma's hesitation allowed the Spanish to take control.

Aftermath

• The Spanish established the colony of New Spain, using Indigenous people for slavery and forced labor.
• Catholic missionaries converted Indigenous people, and Spanish culture became dominant.
• Aztec society/culture was destroyed, and millions died from violence, disease, and exploitation.
• The conquest of the Aztecs encouraged further Spanish expeditions in the Americas.

Spain's Worldview and Motivations

• Spain's geographic location between Africa and Europe was key in shaping its history and worldview
• The Reconquista, or reconquest of Spain from the Muslims, shaped Spanish identity and worldview; completion took place in 1492.
• The Spanish Inquisition, established by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, persecuted non-Catholics, reinforcing the idea they needed to be converted or conquered
• Spain sought new trade routes and to replenish gold and silver reserves.
• Spanish expansion was driven by gold (wealth), glory (power), and God (spreading christianity).
• Military experience and tactics developed during the Reconquista included soldiers grouping into formations that were difficult to overrun.

Spanish Arrival / Conquest

• In 1519, Hernán Cortés landed in Mexico, founding Veracruz and declaring independence from the governor of Cuba; he was determined to conquer rather than trade.
• The Aztec Empire was ruled by Moctezuma II and extracted tribute from surrounding areas.
• The Tlaxcalans initially resisted the Spanish but saw an opportunity to overthrow the Aztecs.
• The Spanish marveled at Tenochtitlan's size, beauty, and infrastructure, but aimed to find gold first.
• Cortés took Moctezuma hostage, leading to growing tensions.
• Spanish massacred Aztec nobles during event in June 1520, resulting in the event known as La Noche Triste where Moctezuma was killed + Spanish suffered losses.
• After escaping, Cortés prepped for attack in May 1521, cutting off the city's water and food.
• A smallpox epidemic devastated Aztecs who lacked immunity.
• Tenochtitlan fell by August 13, 1521, with the city being destroyed.

Reasons For Spanish Victory

• The Spanish possessed steel swords, firearms, cannons, and horses unknown to Aztecs
• Cortés formed alliances with Indigenous groups who resented Aztec rule, such as the Tlaxcalans and Totonacs.
• Smallpox and other European diseases devastated the Aztecs.
• Moctezuma's initial hesitation allowed for Spanish control before Aztecs realized the danger.

Aftermath and Consequences

• The Spanish established New Spain colony, forcing Indigenous population into slavery.
• Catholic missionaries converted the Indigenous peoples, resulting in the dominance of Spanish culture, language, and religion.
• Aztec society and culture were destroyed (millions died from violence, disease, exploitation).
• Conquest helped enable further expeditions in the Americas, including the Inca Empire.