The aztec peoples, who spoke the nahuatl language, survived and intermarried with the spaniards. From 15181521, spanish conquistador hernan cortes and his army brought down the mighty aztec empire, the greatest the new world had ever seen. Most of the aztecs were commoners, who provided the labor needed for the culture to thrive. The conquest of tenochtitlan and the subsequent consolidation of spanish domination over the former aztec empire was the first major possession in what became the spanish empire. The spanish used aztec slaves to transport goods from one colony to another colony. The araucanians lived in the southern part of chile, and resisted spanish control until well into the nineteenth century. Important events in the conquest of the aztec empire.
By the early 16th century, the aztecs had come to rule over up to 500 small states, and some 5 to 6 million people, either by conquest or commerce. L6ss the aztec and inca people of south america were conquered in the early 16th century by the spaniards led by hernan cortez and francisco pizarro, respectively. Interesting facts about the spanish conquest of the aztecs. Soon after cortes first arrived in mexico in 1519, a native woman named malintzin later baptized marina was one of 20 women given to cortes and his men after they defeated the natives in tobasco. After the conquest of the inca empire, a spanish force moved southward to found the city of santiago in 1541.
Itzcoatls successor montezuma moctezuma i, who took power in 1440, was a great warrior who was remembered as the father of the aztec empire. The spanish along with indigenous allies, faced off against a. A thick and obscuring legend of horror has been woven across the warp of the spanish conquest and regime in america. They served as soldiers, farmed the land, and built cities such as tenochtitlan. The total of toledos census is, however, of little use in an attempt to estimate inca population at about 1525, for. The process of transculturation384 tequitqui art390. Christopher columbus and the spanish conquest of the. How is the spanish conquest of the aztecs similar or different to british. By 1521, two years after spanish arrival, the aztec empire had collapsed and. Spanish conquering the aztecs timeline timetoast timelines. Oct 27, 2019 the first emissaries from the aztecs arrived, bearing gifts and seeking information about these interlopers.
Letter, hernan cortes this excerpt from cortes second letter, written to charles v in 1519 and first published in 1522, is one of only two instances in cortes letters to the king that explicitly. Aztec civilization was destroyed at its height by the invasion of spanish conquerors under hernando cortes in 1519. By bringing the aztec empire under the rule of spain. This book explores the ancient aztecs through social structure. This book by an international authority on mexican archaeology and sociology presents a vivid history of that profoundly religious aztec warrior society from its days as a primitive people, to the early sixteenth century when, on the. Spanish conquest of the aztec empire project gutenberg self. Emperor of the aztec empire, montezuma ii, who was the ninth ruler of the empire and the capital city of tenochtitlan, sent envoys of his own to greet the spanish. Before we can examine the conquest of the aztecs, we need to understand who the aztecs were. Ive included a color and bw version, as well as a key. Spanish conquest of the aztec empire project gutenberg. The exact origins of the aztec people are uncertain, but they are believed to have begun as a northern tribe of huntergatherers whose name came from their homeland aztlan, or white land in. Although the conquest of central mexico was not the conquest of all regions in what is modern mexico, the conquest of the aztecs is the most significant overall. What can source a tell us about the way the spanish treated the aztecs after conquering mexico in 1521. The spanish conquest of the aztec empire, also known as the conquest of mexico or the spanish mexican war 151921, was one of the primary events in the spanish colonization of the americas.
Spaniards could not have understood the language of mexico. The aztecs believed they were spanish were gods they thought that cortes was quetzocail, an aztec god the aztec emperor, montezuma welcomed the spanish to their capital, tenochtitlan however trouble soon broke out as the spanish stole gold and silver and took over some of their palaces the aztecs killed montezuma because he allowed the spanish in. In 1519, hernan cortes and his small army of conquistadors, driven by goldlust, ambition and religious fervor, began the audacious conquest of the aztec empire. From 1519 to 1521 the spanish, led by hernan cortes, conquered the aztec empire. Visitors to todays mexico city are thrilled to see remains of the beautiful aztec capital, tenochtitlan. Since these omens did not come to light until after the conquest of the aztecs, are these a valid source of. Urged spanish crown to find a new source of labor sugarcane plantations required a backbreaking labor supply 1518 charles i authorized first shipment of africans to new world between 1518 and 1800, 10 million africans crossed 2 2. Between 1519 and 1521, spanish conquistadors, led by hernan cortes, took over the aztec empire. First came the spanish conquest of the aztec empire in presentday mexico, led by hernan cortes. Ross hassig explores this question in mexico and the spanish conquest by incorporating primary accounts from the indians of mexico and revisiting the events of the conquest against the backdrop of the aztec empire, the culture. Spanish conquest of the americas oxford university press. Conquest of the aztecs and incas flashcards quizlet. Spanish conquest of the aztec empire the people known as the aztecs who referred to themselves as the mexica or tenocha originated from a place called aztlan, somewhere in north or north west mexico.
The spanish made their way inland, ignoring pleas and threats from montezuma to go away. Pdf seven myths of the spanish conquest download full. Aztec spanish conquest reading comprehension worksheet tpt. This article relates the conquest of the aztec empire by spanish explorer herna.
It opened new doors by broadening economic and political gain. Mexico and the spanish conquest ross hassig what role did indigenous peoples play in the spanish conquest of mexico. That was also the time that spanish adventurers were swarming by the hundreds to the west indies, following the discovery of the americas in 1492 by christopher columbus. The spanish conquest of the aztec empire was one of the most significant events in the spanish colonization of the americas, as well as world history. Initially, it seemed as though cortes and his men were going to try and preserve some of the aztecs social and cultural structure. The spanish form a second attack on the now weakened aztecs members of the triple alliance turned against the aztecs when they saw the strength of the spanish. Spanish conquest of the aztec empire simple english. Commonly referred to as the florentine codex, the manuscript consists of 12 books devoted to different topics.
Oct 11, 2018 in our previous animated historical documentary we have covered the rise of the aztecs. It is sometimes melancholy to think that the beautiful city of tenochtitlan was a pristine, orderly and an architectuall gem that was leveled in favor of a dirty european city. In 45 the aztecs travelled south to central mexico, where they founded a large lakeside city called tenochtitlan. The use of the word conquest is unique to the spanish case for two reasons. During the reign of moctezuma, the empire continued its growth, but it was during this period the spaniards. Firstly, the subjugation of the aztec and inca empires, which has hitherto attracted the widest attention of historians, was clear cut and irrevocable, symbolized by the death of montezuma motecuhzoma. The aztecs were integrated into the spanish empire and in the first phase of spanish conquest many wealthier, elite aztecs were considered to be noblemen. Perspectives and the encounter the aztecs and spanish. Spanish conquest of the aztecs who conquered the aztecs aztecs conquering other tribes the eagles conquest builders conquest conquest of fear spaniards conquest masks of conquest cessna conquest toyota corolla conquest 1996 conquest of fear morriss lichenstein carsondellosa spanish for middle and high school carsondellosa spanish for middle and high schoo spanish 3 nec spanish faq in spanish spanish a1 spanish is fun my spanish lab spanish. Christopher columbus and the spanish conquest of the americas. Spanish conquest of the aztecs 3 minute history youtube. Aztec warfare 123 we should note at this point two recurrent features of aztec warfare as it is reported in the ethnohistorical sources. After three months of fighting, he finally took control of the city and completed his conquest of the aztec empire. Half the aztec population died from smallpox so the spanish attacked them.
Seven myths of the spanish conquest available for download and read online in other formats. Dec 18, 2018 the aztec outnumbered the spanish, but that didnt stop hernan cortes from seizing tenochtitlan, the aztec capital, in 1521. Luckily for francisco pizarro, the spanish conquistador who defeated the incas, his timing couldnt have been. The spaniards took the gifts and asked the aztecs to accompany them to the lead ship to meet hernan cortes, personal representative of. The aztecs were a warlike, bloodthirsty poeple and through their violent conquests of other groups they grew wealthy and. Aztec slaves were used to maintain the agricultural area. America, spanish conquest south african history online. Spaniards does not fully explain the conquests of the aztecs and incas between 1519 and 1533. The spanish conquest the aztec empire reached its height in the early 16th century, under emperor moctezuma. It also covers the spanish territory in the new world and the outlining of the government system as.
During the reign of moctezuma, the empire continued its growth, but it was during this period the spaniards of hernan cortes landed in the region and the fight between the aztecs. 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. Next came the spanish conquest of the inca empire, the largest empire in precolumbian america that encompassed parts of presentday peru site of the incas capital city, cuzco, colombia, ecuador, bolivia, chile, and argentina. Spanish conquest of the aztec and the inca empires.
General history of the things of new spain by fray. Ten minute history the early spanish and portuguese empires short documentary duration. Spanish conquest of the aztec empire facts for kids. The omens could have led the aztecs to believe that the spanish leader cortez was the god quetzalcoatl in the form of a white skinned, bearded man. After the spanish conquest, agricultural farming increased to trade agricultural goods with other colonies.
Pdf seven myths of the spanish conquest download full pdf. The aztecs and the spanish conquest essay 2105 words. Picture 1 shows aztecs growing crops to sell with other colonies. The aztecs of ancient mexico are generally the most widely known of all precolumbian peoples of the americas. He did it through a combination of luck, courage, political savvy and advanced tactics and weapons. Because the aztecs were illiterate, they could not read spanish treaty provisions. Sometime in the 12th century they embarked on a period of wander ing and in the th century settled in the valley of central mexico. This might say conquistaodr about how compelling the story of the conquest is, but perhaps some credit should be given to buddy levy and the way he tells the story. Handbook to life in the aztec world by manuel aguilarmoreno. Mexico spanish conquest is an interactive lesson plan that covers the landing of hernando cortes in mexico and the eventual destruction of the aztec nation.
The warriors and noblemen who were not killed immediately died later from rampant smallpox and other diseases. Spanish conquest of the aztec and the inca empires free essays. But not until the spanish conquest of peru was the conquest of the aztecs matched in scope by the victory over the inca empire in 1532. Mar 04, 2018 ten minute history the early spanish and portuguese empires short documentary duration. What was hernando cortes real purpose in conquering tenochtitlan. Daily life of the aztecs on the eve of the spanish conquest. The spanish conquest of the aztec empire, also known as the spanishmexica war 151921, was one of the primary events in the spanish colonization of the americas. This event is called the spanish conquest of the aztec empire. The spanish conquest of the aztecs in 1521, led by hernando cortes, was a landmark victory for the european settlers. They gained control over the fertile central region of presentday chile.
The dramatic and heroic story of their conquest and eventual destruction at the hands of the spanish conquistadores and the rediscovery in 1790 of the piedra del sol, the sun stone or aztec calendar, are known throughout the world. The aztec empire collapsed almost instantly after the conquest. Christopher columbus arrived in 1492 after sailing the ocean blue in a quest to find a faster trade route to asia. The friars of the 16th century borrowed one anothers material without citation. Download pdf seven myths of the spanish conquest book full free. The rich gifts, meant to buy off the spanish and make them go away, had the opposite effect. He gathered a large force of natives including the tlaxcalans to fight the aztecs. It was at this great city that one of the most influential battles in the conquest of new spain was won. Project muse the influence of christianity on the spanish. The culture began to collapse when the aztecs were overtaken by spanish conquistadors in the 1500s. By august 1521, three mexica emperors were dead or captured, the city of tenochtitlan was in ruins and the spanish had conquered the mighty empire. Spanish conquest of the aztecs the conquest of the aztecs began with a decision made by the governor of cuba, diego velasquez, to send an expedition to investigate rumors of a wealthy civilization in mexico. First, the tenochca sources repeatedly report looting and sacking as normal outcomes of aztec victory duran 1964. The spanish conquest of the aztec empire language center for.
Beginning with columbus in 1492 and continuing for nearly 350 years, spain conquered and settled most of south america, the caribbean, and the american southwest. Initially, it seemed as though cortes and his men were going to try and preserve some of the aztec s social. The spanish conquest of yucatan, the spanish conquest of guatemala, the war of mexicos west, and the chichimeca war in northern mexico expanded spanish control over territory and indigenous populations. By then america wasnt even discovered, but a few decades later he would be the one to conquer one of the most powerful empires in the new continent. Very soon after their arrival in tenochtitlan the spanish staged a coup detat, seizing. Spanish conquest of the aztecs who conquered the aztecs aztecs conquering other tribes the eagles conquest builders conquest conquest of fear spaniards conquest masks of conquest cessna conquest toyota corolla conquest 1996 conquest of fear morriss lichenstein carsondellosa spanish for middle and high school carsondellosa spanish for middle and high schoo spanish 3 nec spanish faq in spanish spanish a1 spanish is fun my spanish lab spanish b vhl spanish. The spanish conquest of the aztec empire flashcards quizlet. There are multiple 16thcentury narratives of the events by spanish conquerors, their indigenous allies, and the defeated aztecs. The conquest of the aztecs marked a significant period for the spanish. Hernando cortes and the spanish conquest of mexico elliott page 6 conquest not just for spanish conquistadors but conquerors from all over the world throughout the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Following the spanish arrival in mexico, a huge battle erupted between the army of cortes and the aztec people under the rule of montezuma. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. On the other hand, his descriptions of aztec if you have any interest at all in aztec culture and the cortez saga, this is the book to read.
Pdf influence of cultural factors on the spanish conquest of the. Spanish, led by hernan cortes, conquered the aztec empire. How the aztecs political and economic systems facilitated spanish conquest. Spanish interest was directed toward the aztecs after their initial meeting at the spanish port town of veracruz. The wars of imperial expansion, 14401519 with the ascension of moteuczoma i moteuczoma ilhuicamina, ruled 1440. He returned to tenochtitlan and laid siege to the city. Most of the current sources available even to the peoples of spanish american countries are nothing more than pamphlets intending to spread such dark tales. The role of aztec warriors was forcing weaker states to pay tribute. It was one of the most important events in the spanish colonization of the americas. This passage describes the spanish conquest of the aztecs. Aztecs, ethnohistory, mexico, spanish conquest, war introduction most interpretations of the spanish conquest of the aztecs attribute the spanish victory to psycho social factorsthe aztecs had a different concep tion of warfare, or they were paralyzed by the.
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