spanish conquest of the aztec empire

Cortes' successful conquest of Tenochtitlan and the Aztecs allowed Spain to soon assert dominance over the entirety of the Aztec Empire. Cortes sent enough of his men on raiding parties around the city to keep other city-states from coming to the relief of the Aztecs, and on August 13, 1521, when Emperor Cuauhtemoc was captured, resistance ended and the Spanish were able to take the smoldering city. The siege was characterised by a series of brutal and chaotic fights along the waterways and within the City precincts of Tenochtitlan as the Spaniards sought to establish control over the City whilst the Aztecs feverishly defended it. The Mexica were led by a Tlatoani, a position roughly similar to Emperor. The land was ruled by Aztec King Moctezuma who had been the Aztec Emperor since 1502. An alliance was forged bewteen Hernan Cortes and these disaffected Chieftains who agreed to assist the Spanish in their march on Tenochtitlan. The deeply religious Montezuma had dithered and fretted about the arrival of these foreigners and did not oppose them. Minster, Christopher. Forgive the pronunciations. By bringing the Aztec Empire under the rule of Spain, he set events in motion which would result in the modern-day nation of Mexico. ThoughtCo, Oct. 2, 2020, thoughtco.com/the-conquest-of-the-aztec-empire-2136528. The first emissaries from the Aztecs arrived, bearing gifts and seeking information about these interlopers. ... Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro leads an expedition into the heart of the Inca Empire and captures the Incan Emperor Atahualpa and claims Peru for Spain. Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire created by Diego García on Nov. 1, 2020 From 1518-1521, Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes and his army brought down the mighty Aztec Empire, the greatest the New World had ever seen. Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire. Cortes and most of his most important lieutenants survived, however, and they made their way back to friendly Tlaxcala to rest and regroup. Page 4 of 8 - About 78 Essays The Aztecs By David Carrasco. ThoughtCo. The Aztec regrouped under a new Emperor but they could not foresee the deadly Biological disaster that would seen wreak havoc throughout the Kingdom as Smallpox which had been brought by one of the Spaniards spread, effectively decimating 40% of Tenochtitlan’s population within a year. Over the next few days Moctezuma’s diplomats were dispatched bearing Golden gifts for Cortes and the Conquistadors, constructing sleeping quarters and providing servants. In response, the Spanish attempted to use Moctezuma to calm the rebellion, but even Moctezuma was stoned by his own people. This sent a powerful message to the rest of Mesoamerica not to trifle with the Spanish. 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. Cortes returned in late June and decided that the city could not be held. Sources disagree here whether Moctezuma died from the wounds caused by the rocks or if he was strangled by the Conquistadors because he was no longer of any use to them. A two-player wargame that covers the epic three month siege of Tenochtitlan, the climactic battle for control of Mexico, fought in 1521. 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. Francisco Pizarro . After Montezuma II was killed the Aztecs elected Cuauhtemoc as their new king. Hernan Cortes . Soon, an alliance was forged between the Spanish and the Tlaxcalans. These were called encomiendas. On what came to be known to the Spanish as the "Night of Sorrows," hundreds of Spanish were killed. answer choices . He initially studied law but left university to make his fortune in the Americas. They were welcomed by Montezuma and put in a sumptuous palace. Cortés was a Spanish conquistador (soldier and explorer) who conquered the vast Aztec empire in central America. Why The Greek Gods May Have Been Anunnaki Aliens. His initial contact with the Aztecs was friendly and he was welcomed by the emperor himself. Spanish Conquest of the Americas Movies. It is May 1520 in the vast Aztec Empire one year after the Spanish Conqueror Hernán Cortés' arrival in Mexico. The siege was characterised by a series of brutal and chaotic fights along the waterways and within the City precincts of Tenochtitlan as the Spaniards sought to establish control over the City whilst the Aztecs feverishly defended it. It opened new doors by broadening economic and political gain. When they reached the lands of the Tlaxcalans in August of 1519, Cortes decided to make contact with them. Cortés became worried that some of his crew would steal his ships and desert him so he sunk his fleet before marching to Tenochtitlan. If Cortes is killed or captured, the Aztec player wins immediately. Cortes ordered the construction of thirteen brigantines, large boats which could sail or be rowed and which would tip the balance while assaulting the island. Moctezuma was uncertain as to how to treat the Foreigners, and the explanation for the hospitality extended to Hernan Cortes and the Conquistadors may lie in an Ancient Aztec Prophecy of the Pale Skinned Aztec God Viracocha or Quetzalcoatl of Ancient Mesoamerica who had been Prophesied to return around the same time as Cortes had arrived in Moctezuma’s lands. In November of 1519, the Spanish entered Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Mexica people and leader of the Aztec Triple Alliance. In the book “The Aztecs” by David Carrasco it tells a true story of happened during the Aztec peoples life, from over two thousand years ago. Hernan Cortés was the Spanish conquistador that led the expedition to explore and conquer the Aztec Empire. Map showing the expansion of the Aztec Empire through conquest. Little did the residents of the massive Inca empire know that they would soon be learning Spanish in Peru. Disease, resemblance to native prophecies, Spanish alliance with enemies of the Aztecs, and Spanish technological superiority were all factors that led to the downfall of the Aztec Empire. Please go to warscholar.org for more information. He did it through a combination of luck, courage, political savvy and advanced tactics and weapons. At the age of 19, he travelled to the Spanish controlled colonies in the Caribbean. As a symbol of resistance against the Spanish, the name of Moctezuma has … About one hundred years before, three powerful city-states in central Mexico — Tenochtitlan, Tlacopan and Tacuba — united to form the Triple Alliance, which soon rose to pre-eminence. Minster, Christopher. On May 20, Pedro de Alvarado, who had been left in charge, ordered the massacre of unarmed nobles attending a religious festival, The enraged inhabitants of the city besieged the Spanish and even Montezuma's intervention could not alleviate the tension. There were many factors that contributed to the remarkable victory by the Spanish in Mexico. "The Conquest of the Aztec Empire." Although the Spaniards eventually managed to cross to the mainland, they had lost a significant number of men and Gold in the worst defeat suffered by Cortes. On the night of June 30, the Spanish tried to stealthily leave the city, but they were discovered and attacked. Important Events in the Conquest of the Aztec Empire, Top 10 Things to Know About the Aztecs and Their Empire, 8 Important Figures in the Conquest of the Aztec Empire, Timeline of Hernan Cortes' Conquest of the Aztecs, The Founding of Tenochtitlan and the Origin of the Aztecs, Biography of Malinche, Enslaved Woman and Interpreter to Hernán Cortés. In 1519, the tlatoani of the Mexica was Motecuzoma Xocoyotzín, better known to history as Montezuma. The Conquest of the Inca Empire. 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. It Sparked a Wave of Conquests . ... Spanish Conquest Cortes and his soldiers had conquerd the Aztecs . Menu. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/the-conquest-of-the-aztec-empire-2136528. Cortés's conquest has been depicted in numerous television documentaries. The disease even struck down Cuitláhuac, the warlike new leader of the Mexica. Minster, Christopher. Conquest of the Aztec empire. This description is based primarily on written documents from the 16th century but also includes some archaeological data. In October, Cortes and his men and allies passed through the city of Cholula, home of the cult to the god Quetzalcoatl. After two weeks of fighting, the Spanish gained the respect of the Tlaxcalans and in September they were invited to talk. More specifically, he arrived at the island of Hispaniola which is the modern-day Dominican Republic and Haiti. At first, the reports of strange encounters on the Coast with pale skinned men did not bother Moctuzema because the Aztec Empire was already advanced in Trade with many foreigners already present and conducting trade at the great market of Tlatelolco. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site. The absence of horse and canon in Aztec Empire was a clear disadvantage and thus Cortes and his men were able to defeat the Aztec army. These include in an episode of Engineering an Empire as well as in the BBC series Heroes and Villains, with Cortés being portrayed by Brian McCardie. There was sporadic fighting for decades to come, but in effect, the conquest was a done deal. "The Conquest of the Aztec Empire." From 1518-1521, Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes and his army brought down the mighty Aztec Empire, the greatest the New World had ever seen. Moctezuma II becomes tlatoani, ruler of Tenochtitlan and a vast empire in Mexico. Tags: Question 2 . Most of the conquistadors did receive large tracts of land, however. The Spanish demanded all sorts of loot and food and while Montezuma did nothing, the people and warriors of the city began to get restless. The brigantines were launched and Cortes and his men marched on Tenochtitlan. 1) How large was the Aztec Empire? In early 1521, everything was ready. On his arrival, Hernan Cortes was accompanied by a force of 530 Armed Europeans and a few hundred Cuban natives and African slaves. In 1519, when the Spanish first made official contact with the Empire, the Aztecs ruled most of present-day Mexico either directly or indirectly. 14 pages of rules, 144 5/8" counters, and a 22" x 34" map are included. Cortés … It was decided to treat the strange new Visitors as the returned God Viracocha until Moctezuma could be sure about their intentions. In May of 1520, Cortes was forced to take most of his men and return to the coast to face a new threat: a large Spanish force, led by veteran conquistador Panfilo de Narvaez, sent by Governor Velazquez to rein him in. The Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, also known as the Spanish–Mexican War (1519–21), was one of the primary events in the Spanish colonization of the Americas. Your responses will be handed in and graded. The Spanish made their way inland, ignoring pleas and threats from Montezuma to go away. Within two years, the Spanish invaders had taken down the most powerful city-state in Mesoamerica, and the implications were not lost on the remaining city-states in the region. Who led the Spanish in the conquest of the Aztec Empire? They became aware of a large landmass to the west, and some expeditions had visited the shores of the Gulf Coast, but no lasting settlement had been made. Europeans began arriving in Mexico during the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire; and while during the colonial period most European immigration was Spanish (mostly from northern provinces such as Cantabria, Navarra, Galicia and the Basque Country, ), in the 19th and 20th centuries European and European-derived populations from North and South America did immigrate to the country. Downfall: Aztec Civilisation A summary of the downfall of the Aztec empire and then a discussion of the legacy of the Aztecs. Over the coming years, Spain would conquer much more of the Americas, conquering other major empires like the Incas. This paper is aimed at examining three primary documents that can throw light on the Spanish Conquest of the Aztec Empire. This unspeakable tragedy was a great lucky break for Cortes, as his European soldiers were largely unaffected by this disease. “The Spanish Conquest of Mexico” Directions: Watch the film, “The Spanish Conquest of Mexico” and answer the following questions as thoroughly as possible. To make things worse for the Aztecs, the City was by now suffering from extreme starvation and the people were forced to drink the salty lake water which weakened the population even further, allowing Cortes to enter the City in a series of bitterly contested surges until the Aztec City was finally subdued in August 1512. Christopher Minster, Ph.D., is a professor at the ​Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador. The conquests of Moctezuma II are marked by the colour green (based on the maps by Ross Hassig in Aztec Warfare ). The city of Tenochtitlan was destroye… On the 1st of July 1520, the Spaniards attempted to flee the City at night but they were spotted and attacked by a massive Aztec force on Canoes along the waterway out of Tenochtitlan. These groups were bound to the Aztecs by ties of trade and tribute but resented their inland masters and tentatively agreed with Cortes to switch allegiances. Between 1519 and 1521, Spanish conquistadors, led by Hernán Cortés, overthrew the Aztec Empire. 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 . Cortes earned a title and vast lands and stole most of the riches from his men by short-changing them when payments were made. However, later on, misunderstandings developed between the Spaniards and the Aztecs which gave rise to open hostilities. The initially friendly relationships between the Aztecs and the Spaniards soon soured as the Spaniards now inside Tenochtitlan as Moctezuma’s guests, took the Emperor Moctezuma hostage and also killed many local Nobles. The smallpox weakened the Aztec cities around Tenochtitlan which soon fell to the Spanish and made it possible for the Spaniards to lay siege to Tenochtitlan. His men and Tlaxcalan allies fell on the unarmed nobles, slaughtering thousands. After helping conquer Cuba for the Spanish, Cortés was commissioned to lead an expedition to the mainland. Aztec Empire is at its most powerful as Montezuma begins his rule Jan 1, 1502. Within a couple of weeks, Montezuma had allowed himself to be taken hostage, a semi-willing "guest" of the intruders. The conquest of the Aztecs marked a significant period for the Spanish. The worksheet is worth 20 points. The Spanish Conquest of the Aztec empire in the 16th century changed the course of history for Central America. The relentless pressure proved effective, and the city was slowly worn down. He is a former head writer at VIVA Travel Guides. The literature, both published and unpublished, of the 16th century is enormous and takes in all aspects of Aztec culture. The Spanish conquest of Mexico is generally understood to be the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire (1519–21) which was the base for later conquests of other regions. This event is called the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire. The Aztec Empire was conquered by the Spaniards under the command of the adventurous conquistador, Hernan Cortes. The warlike Tlaxcalans had been enemies of the Aztecs for generations and had held out against their warlike neighbors. This resource includes short biographies about Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortés and the Aztec emperor Moctezuma and covers the conquest from the Spanish landing on the Mexican coast, to La Noche Triste and the siege of Tenochtitlan. The Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire is the subject of an opera, La Conquista (2005) and of a set of six symphonic poems, La nueva España (1992–99) by Italian composer Lorenzo Ferrero. The cultures and people meshed, sometimes violently, sometimes peacefully, and by 1810 Mexico was enough of its own nation and culture that it broke with Spain and became independent. The Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire was one of the most significant events in the Spanish colonization of the Americas. Home » Ancient Civilizations » Spanish Conquest Of The Aztec Empire. SURVEY . Cortes landed, founded a small settlement and made mostly peaceful contact with leaders of local communities. While in Tlaxcala, the Spanish received reinforcements and supplies, rested, and prepared to take the city of Tenochtitlan. https://www.thoughtco.com/the-conquest-of-the-aztec-empire-2136528 (accessed February 12, 2021). The warriors and noblemen who were not killed immediately died later from rampant smallpox and other diseases. Meanwhile, Cortés found out that Moctezuma had huge quantities of stored Gold, and began discussions with other disgruntled local vassal Chiefs unhappily paying Tribute to Moctezuma. The Conquest of the Aztec Empire. 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. At the time of the Spanish conquest the dominant people of Meso-America were the Aztec. The Aztec outnumbered the Spanish, but that didn't stop Hernán Cortés from seizing Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital, in 1521. Most importantly for the Spanish, an epidemic of smallpox broke out in Mesoamerica, slaying millions, including countless warriors and leaders of Tenochtitlan. Their adoption of the rapidly-spreading Spanish language would be symptomatic of the loss of their culture and land (one of the richest in America) at the hands of the Spanish invaders. All three cultures were located on the shores and islands of Lake Texcoco. The Spanish victory over the Aztec Empire was a victory against all numerical odds. English: The Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire or the Conquest of México — the warfare from 1519 to 1521, in present day Mexico.. Media related to this warfare, the engaged Aztec and Spanish people involved, and including those related to the subjection of Aztecs and their allies after the 1521 Fall of Tenochtitlan. For webquest or practice, print a copy of this quiz at the Aztec Empire - Spanish Conquest webquest print page. In 1518, Governor Diego Velazquez of Cuba sponsored an expedition of exploration and settlement and entrusted it to Hernan Cortes. Every day, Cortes' top lieutenants — Gonzalo de Sandoval, Pedro de Alvarado and Cristobal de Olid — and their men assaulted the causeways leading into the city while Cortes, leading the small navy of brigantines, bombarded the city, ferried men, supplies, and information around the lake, and scattered groups of Aztec war canoes. The expedition was also partially included in the animated film The Road to El Dorado a… Q. Answer in complete sentences. Juan Ponce de Leon . 30 seconds . The fall of the Aztec City of Tenochtitlan to the Spanish led by Conquistador Hernan Cortes marked the end of an era as the Old and New Worlds collided with catastrophic results for the New World which would be decimated by War, famine and disease. In turn, the third one is attributed to an unknown Aztec chronicler. Christopher Columbus . Through alliances, wars, intimidation, and trade, the Aztecs came to dominate most of the other Mesoamerican city-states by 1519 and collected tribute from them. In theory, the owner of an encomienda protected and educated the natives living there, but in reality, it was a thinly-veiled form of enslavement. Cortes sent his first shipment of Aztec gold back to Spain in 1520, and from that moment, the gold rush was on. Under his rule, the Aztec Empire had reached its greatest heights with its borders reaching their greatest extent since the inception of the Empire. Since 1492, when Christopher Columbus discovered the New World, the Spanish had fairly thoroughly explored the Caribbean by 1518. The rich gifts, meant to buy off the Spanish and make them go away, had the opposite effect: they wanted to see the riches of the Aztecs for themselves. Cortés helped old enemies of the Aztecs defeat them in one of the most important events in the Spanish colonization of the Americas. Hernado de Sotoot . Entry Into Tenochtitlan and Capture of Montezuma, Aftermath of the Conquest of the Aztec Empire. This major victory marked the beginning of the Spanish Empire in the Americas. A quick and dirty history of the Spanish Conquest of the Aztec Empire. answer choices (2020, October 2). As a result, the City of Tenochtitlan erupted in open rebellion and the Spanish found themselves trapped in the now hostile City with their sleeping quarters coming under attack. After spending a couple of weeks there, Cortes learned of a plot to ambush the Spanish when they left the city. Cholula was not exactly a vassal of the Aztecs, but the Triple Alliance had much influence there. The pre-eminent partner in the Triple Alliance was the Mexica city of Tenochtitlan. The Aztec Empire was stretched from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast. Time and again, the Tlaxcalan warriors and porters which accompanied Cortes' expedition would prove their value. The smallpox weakened the Aztec cities around Tenochtitlan which soon fell to the Spanish and made it possible for the Spaniards to lay siege to Tenochtitlan. Back to History for Kids The Aztec empire collapsed almost instantly after the conquest. Cortes summoned the leaders of the city to one of the squares and after berating them for treason, he ordered a massacre. He did it through a combination of luck, courage, political savvy and advanced tactics and weapons. Although Cortes defeated Narvaez and added most of his men to his own army, things got out of hand in Tenochtitlan in his absence. The Aztec Empire had now been brought to a brutal end, and the outcome of the first great meeting between the Old and New worlds would forever alter the course of History. Who was the Aztec Emperor at the time of the Spanish conquest? Cortes set sail with several ships and about 600 men, and after a visit to the Maya area of the southern Gulf Coast (it was here that he picked up his future interpreter/mistress Malinche), Cortes reached the area of present-day Veracruz in early 1519. Hernán (or Hernando) Cortés was born in 1485 in Medellín, western Spain. Interesting Facts about the Spanish Conquest of the Aztecs.

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