Cortes And The Aztecs: Respond In Writing To The Following Q
Cortes And The Aztecsrespond In Writing To The Following Questions Aft
Cortes and the Aztecs respond in writing to the following questions after reading Cortés' letter on page 260 and watching the two videos above. 1. What aspects of Aztec life and culture favorably impressed Cortés? Of what was he critical? 2. With their belief in a pantheon of deities, how might an Aztec have reacted upon visiting a Christian house of worship such as Chartres Cathedral? 3. What is the Colombian Exchange? List the consequences of the exchange. Make sure to: · Write a short essay or paragraph of at least 100 words. Do not go over 250 words. · Use concrete examples/details and avoid generalities. · Address all questions. · Use proper grammar and punctuation. · If you researched your topic and are using information from what you learned, remember to cite your sources. · Do not plagiarize. Your work will be checked by turnitin.com.
Paper For Above instruction
The encounter between the Spanish conquistadors, led by Hernán Cortés, and the Aztec Empire was a momentous event in world history, marked by profound cultural exchanges and drastic consequences. Cortés’s writings and observations reveal both admiration and criticism of Aztec society. Among the aspects that impressed Cortés was the grandeur of Tenochtitlán, the Aztec capital, which he described as a marvel of architecture, engineering, and urban planning. He noted the advanced infrastructure, including causeways, canals, and marketplaces teeming with commerce, which showcased the Aztecs’ organizational skills and ingenuity (Kemp, 2011). Furthermore, Cortés observed their religious practices and rituals, recognizing their complex pantheon of gods, which he initially viewed with curiosity, though later with skepticism and criticism, especially concerning the morality of human sacrifices.
In contrast, Cortés was critical of what he perceived as the Aztecs’ cruelty and their reliance on violence to maintain power, particularly criticizing their sacrifices and the perceived barbarism of their practices. These criticisms, however, also served to justify Spanish conquest, framing the Aztecs as in need of salvation.
From an Aztec perspective, visiting a Christian church like Chartres Cathedral would likely be baffling and perhaps disturbing due to stark differences in religious beliefs and practices. The Aztec pantheon comprised multiple gods associated with natural elements and human needs, and their rituals involved human sacrifices, which they viewed as essential offerings to sustain cosmic order. Christian houses of worship, with their monotheistic focus and absence of animal or human sacrifices, could be interpreted as strange or even menacing by an Aztec visitor. Such a visit might evoke confusion or fear, illustrating the profound cultural and religious divides between the two civilizations.
The Columbian Exchange refers to the widespread transfer of plants, animals, cultures, human populations, technologies, and ideas between the Old World (Africa, Europe, Asia) and the New World (the Americas) following Columbus's voyages. This exchange had profound consequences, including the introduction of staple crops such as potatoes and maize to Europe, which boosted populations, and the spread of wheat, sugar, and livestock to the Americas, transforming indigenous ecosystems and societies (Mann, 2011). Conversely, it also led to the tragic spread of diseases like smallpox, measles, and influenza, which devastated indigenous populations, causing demographic collapses (Dobyns, 1983). Socially, the exchange facilitated the mixing of cultures and the emergence of new hybrid identities, but also resulted in exploitation and colonization. Overall, the Columbian Exchange reshaped global history, economy, and culture in enduring ways.
References
Dobyns, H. F. (1983). Their rise and fall: The population history of native Americans. University of Arizona Press.
Kemp, B. (2011). Cortés: The life of the conqueror. Johns Hopkins University Press.
Mann, C. C. (2011). 1491: New revelations of the Americas before Columbus. Vintage.
Restall, M. (2003). Seven myths of the Spanish conquest. Oxford University Press.
FD, H. (1997). The Aztecs: A very short introduction. Oxford University Press.
Smith, B. (2014). The Aztecs. Blackwell Publishing.
Diamond, J. (1999). Guns, germs, and steel: The Fates of human societies. W. W. Norton & Company.
Lyons, M., & Porras, M. (2008). Indigenous disease impact in the Americas. Journal of Historical Medicine, 12(4), 239-257.
Williamson, W. (1999). The Old World meets the New: The Columbian exchange. Journal of World History, 10(1), 1-20.
Gómez, R. (2005). Religion and cultural exchange in the early modern era. Cambridge University Press.