Home » Ancient Civilizations » Ancient Mesoamerica » Spanish Conquest Of The Aztec Empire. However, this time, the Tlaxcala and Huexotzingo rebels beat the Aztec military. Spanish … Why The Greek Gods May Have Been Anunnaki Aliens. Along the way, Cortes and his men collected thousands of pounds of gold, silver, jewels … What happened to Montezuma? Although Montezuma II did not trust Cortés, he also was worried that Cortés was the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl. 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. Cortés helped old enemies of the Aztecs defeat them in one of the most important events in the Spanish colonization of the Americas. [10], The conquistadors rewarded people who had helped them defeat the Aztecs. The Aztecs on the other hand were excellent fighters against other tribes, but their tactics were inefficient and did not improve during the fighting with the Spanish. The Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire is not only one of the most significant events in the early exploration and conquest of the Americas, but also one of the most significant events in world history. After Christopher Columbus tried to reach Asia in 1492 by sailing west of Africa, the Old World’s view of the planet changed. The remaining Aztecs were assimilated into the Spanish empire and their pure-blooded and mestizo descendants live on in Mexico and Central America today. 4. 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.. On his arrival, Hernan Cortes was accompanied by a force of 530 Armed Europeans and a few hundred Cuban natives and African slaves. [4], For weapons, Aztec warriors had a few choices:[4], None of these weapons could compare to the conquistadors' guns and steel swords. [5], As early as 1528, reports have said that Montezuma II thought Hernán Cortés was the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl. They had a . 0 votes 0 votes Log in to add a comment Answer 5.0 /5 0. straveteg. [1], Aztec drawing of Cortés's first meeting with Motecuhzoma II, Aztec drawing of the Spanish massacring them in the Great Temple, Spanish painting of Cortés killing Aztecs, Conquistadors' metal armor, better weapons, and horses helped them beat the Aztecs, "The Last Days of Tenochtitlan" (1899 painting), Painting of Aztec temples burning after the Spanish took over, Under Spanish control, the Aztec Empire did not exist any more. The Spanish had metal armor and shields. 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. More than 3 million Aztecs died from smallpox, and with such a severely weakened population, it was easy for the Spanish to take Tenochtitlán. In 1519, as conquistador Hernan Cortes was making his way inland from the coast on his audacious conquest of the Mexica (Aztec) Empire, he had to pass through the lands of the fiercely independent Tlaxcalans, who were the mortal enemies of the Mexica. Together, they fought the other Aztecs and tried to overthrow their Aztec emperor, Moctezuma. Specifically, Hassig shows that the Aztec strategy was mainly one of demonstrating superior military power in … The Council of the Indies was constituted in 1524 and the first Audiencia in 1527. They ruled parts of southern Mexico, as well as some other adjacent areas in Central America. Because the Aztecs were ruthless and very cruel. The whole process could have taken longer were it not for three separate epidemics that took a heavy toll on the Native Americans, killing almost 75% of the population and … 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. Some historians, like Brian Fagan and Nadia Durrani, say that the Empire would have fallen apart even if the Spanish had never come. Maybe you'd get to learn to read. The Spanish army, led by Cortes, started to battle with the people of Aztec ruled by Montezuma at that time. This, however, was not intentional. 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.Cortés helped old enemies of the Aztecs defeat them in one of the most important events in the Spanish colonization of the Americas.. Thanks to the Spanish conquistadors who overtook the city in 1521, led by Hernán Cortés, misinformation about Tenochtitlan and its inhabitants has been around for 500 years. The Aztecs were famous for their agriculture, cultivating all available land, introducing irrigation, draining swamps, and creating artificial islands in the lakes. It turned to the Aztecs when it wanted to have some design features in the Aztec palace. In July 1520 the Spanish survivors fled to Tlaxcala, where enemies of the Aztecs protected them. Right now at school, I’m doing a Law and Order themed project of the Aztecs vs the Spanish. The mighty Aztec and Inca Empires fell apart rapidly once the Spanish arrived. When the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés and his men arrived in the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán in 1521, they described witnessing a grisly ceremony. Most Aztecs deaths were under the Tenochtitlan besiege; the exit roads of their city islands were obstructed. [2], Then, in April 1519, Spanish conquistadors, led by Cortés, arrived on the coast of Mexico. This information, however, combined with archaeological data, gives a fairly detailed picture of Aztec culture at the time of the Spanish conquest. The horses, cannons and iron weaponry brought over on their huge ships from Cuba commanded respect and fear. 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. Back to History for Kids by Cortes and his military; present day Mexico City. Spanish weaponry and tactics played a role, but most of the destruction was wrought by epidemics of European diseases. The Aztec Empire was the last great civilization prior to the arrival of the Spanish. it fairly is beneficial to verify extra with regards to the how the Spanish did this. Several cultures flourished in Central and South America from about 300 c.e. 0.0. In 1521, Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes conquered the Aztecs and Mexico became a Spanish colony. The Spanish tried to change the Aztecs into Catholics and make them act like Spanish people. We know the Spanish conquistadors had something to do with their demise, but it wasn't just those nasty European diseases that led to their ultimate downfall. So I’m forced to find bad things about the Aztecs in order to support my case. Columbus had set sail hoping to … I know for sure that one of the reasons was for gold and silver, now I need two more. I had a paper with the answers, but my teacher collected it. disease like small pox. In all, some 240,000 people were believed to have died in the city’s conquest, which effectively ended the Aztec civilization. Similarly, in two years, Cortés, with fewer than 1,000 Spaniards, utterly destroyed the Aztec Empire. The nobles power and wealth relied on control of land, labor and tribute. Montezuma II sent Cortés gifts of gold and chocolate to welcome the Spanish. The Spanish had a positive effect on Aztec civilization because they helped modernize the society. The Spanish invaded the Aztecs Empire. How did the Spaniards finally take over? Third, the Aztec people had never seen a horse before. They came into power in 1325 and ruled until 1521. Spanish missionaries sent to convert the Aztecs to Christianity learned the Nahuatl language spoken by the Aztecs. "[7], Some historians say that the Spanish conquistadors were not the only reason the Aztec Empire fell apart. 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. Between 1519 and 1521, Spanish conquistadors, led by Hernán Cortés, overthrew the Aztec Empire. 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 Spanish Conquest of the Aztecs In 1492 the Spaniards discovered the new world. These Aztecs put the number of sacrificial victims at the time of the temple’s dedication at … The Spanish made their way inland, ignoring pleas and threats from Montezuma to go away. Between 1519 and 1521, Spanish conquistadors, led by Hernán Cortés, overthrew the Aztec Empire. Aztecs … Those wars between Spanish and Native Americans were most astonishing stories of all the time. Once the Spanish returned to the city of Tenochtitlan, they randomly attacked the dancers and singers. What happened to Tenochtitlan? After 91 days, without any food, and with disease throughout the city, Cuauhtemoc finally surrendered to the Spanish on August 13, 1521. There was 15 Spanish men that were captured by the Aztecs and were sacrificed the first time. Over time, around 80 percent of the people living in the Valley of Mexico died from these diseases. If you were in the nobility, had supported Cortes in battle, and didn't have any silver deposits near you, the Spanish probably weren't too bad. The invasion ended in two years, on 13 August 1521, with the capture of the capital of the Aztec Empire. For instance, some of us might still think of the Aztecs as bloodthirsty conquerors. welcomed them. Divided Empires When the Spanish arrived in Mesoamerica and South America, they were greatly outnumbered but they found two weakened empires. Writers in the 18th century, long after the Spanish conquest, used that word to describe what was really a vast group of people. He was the only son of noble, though not wealthy, parents. Why did the Spanish want to conquer the Aztecs? For webquest or practice, print a copy of this quiz at the Aztec Empire - Spanish Conquest webquest print page. From there they proceeded with the process of conquest and incorporation of Mesoamerican peoples into the Spanish Empire. That night, the Spanish were spotted as they tried to flee the city: the enraged Mexica warriors attacked, slaughtering hundreds of Spaniards on the Tacuba causeway out of the city. The ancient prophecy has been fulfilled and the returning lord is invited to occupy his throne and visit the palace. Explanation: Click to let others know, how helpful is it 0. 2. In August they marched to Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire. An alliance was forged bewteen Hernan Cortes and these disaffected Chieftains who agreed to assist the Spanish in their march on Tenochtitlan. One Minute History - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQNIJBgSm5lg0mGTGn19EIQ The Spaniards’ use of animals and technology made them no less barbaric than the Aztecs, just dramatically different. Cortés helped old enemies of the Aztecs defeat them in one of the most important events in the Spanish colonization of the Americas. Those errors still persist today. The superior weapons and adequate resources that the Spanish army had can also be regarded as one of the factors, which contributed to the defeat of the Aztecs. [2] Even when the Spanish made Montezuma II a prisoner, the Aztecs stayed friendly. The Spanish Conquistadors were completely outnumbered and in a foreign land yet they easily defeated these vast and powerful empires. How did the Social Systems of the Aztec Reflect their Worldview. The Aztec Empire was the last great civilization prior to the arrival of the Spanish. The Aztecs … 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. This disease killed many Aztecs, Aztecs being forced to work under the Encomienda system, Aztec culture continues today. How did the Aztecs die? Malintzin became Cortés’s mistress, learned Spanish, and served as Cortés’s interpreter and advisor. The Spanish conquest was devastating to the Aztec people. What happened to the Spanish captured by the Aztecs? Aztec nobility are made up of rich and wealthy families of noble blood. As Leonardo pointed out to us, Cortés sent to Charles V a quinto real (20%) of what the Spaniards had actually received. The written language of the Maya was made up of about 800 glyphs, or symbols. What happened to the Aztecs? When the Spanish arrived, normally they would have been captured and sacrificed immediately. This woman is doing a fire dance in Aztec clothing, A modern Aztec drumming in traditional Aztec clothing, Aztecs celebrate a festival in Mexico City in traditional clothing, From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (, CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (, https://simple.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Spanish_conquest_of_the_Aztec_Empire&oldid=7209626, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License, The Aztec government was making the states they took over – and regular people in Tenochtitlan – pay more and more money in, When Cortés and his conquistadors came to Tenochtitlan, they brought, Being forced to work too hard with too little food, which caused, Abuse from the people who were forcing them to work. The nobles are the ones that controlled the society. 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. 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. [3], However, soon, while Cortés was away, Spanish soldiers attacked and killed many Aztecs during a festival. This was nothing new for the Aztecs. The Aztecs were severely weakened by diseases that the Spanish brought such as smallpox, influenza, and malaria. What did the Spanish bring to the Americas that weakened or killed thousands of Aztecs? Hmmm, well the Spanish unintentionally brought European diseases with them and it spread like wildfire! Cortes was barred by Spanish governor of Cuba from going on this trip but Cortes persisted. The Spanish conquest of Yucatán took almost 170 years. 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