Hernán Cortés, Conqueror Of Aztec Empire
Corteslinks To An External Site5826hernan Cortez Conqueror Of The
Corteslinks To An External Site5826hernan Cortez Conqueror Of The Cortez (Links to an external site.) 58:26 Hernan Cortez: Conqueror of the Aztecs (Links to an external site.) Hernan Cortez biography (Links to an external site.) After using the links above: Write a short account of the conquering of the Aztecs by Cortez including who, what, when, where and why it happened. Be sure to explain why it was so easy for Cortes and his men to conquer the mighty Aztec Empire. 300 word minimum MLA format No Plagiarism
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
Hernán Cortés, a Spanish conquistador, is renowned for his pivotal role in the conquest of the Aztec Empire in the early 16th century. His expedition marked a significant turning point in the history of the Americas, leading to Spanish dominance over vast territories previously ruled by sophisticated indigenous civilizations.
The Conquest of the Aztec Empire
The conquest began in 1519 when Hernán Cortés arrived on the Gulf Coast of present-day Mexico with a relatively small force. His primary goal was to explore and claim land for Spain, but he soon targeted the wealthy and powerful Aztec Empire, which was centered around the city of Tenochtitlán. Cortés formed alliances with various native groups who were enemies of the Aztecs, such as the Tlaxcalans, which significantly bolstered his military strength. Using these alliances, superior weaponry, and strategic tactics, Cortés was able to penetrate the Aztec defenses.
The Aztec ruler, Montezuma II, initially welcomed Cortés, believing him to be a divine figure. However, tensions soon escalated, culminating in battles and ultimately the capture of Montezuma. In 1521, after several years of fighting, the Spanish, aided by their native allies and diseases like smallpox that devastated the Aztec population, succeeded in overthrowing the Aztec Empire and capturing Tenochtitlán.
Factors Contributing to Cortés’s Success
Several factors contributed to the ease with which Cortés and his men conquered the powerful Aztec civilization. The Aztecs were weakened by internal dissent, rebellions, and the spread of European diseases, which decimated their population and his forces. Cortés’s strategic use of alliances with discontented native groups was crucial, as these groups saw the Aztecs as oppressors. Moreover, the Europeans had superior weaponry, including firearms and steel swords, which contrasted sharply with the Aztec’s stone tools and weapons. Cortés also exploited the Aztecs’ lack of immunity to European diseases, which decimated their warriors and civilians, ultimately crippling their ability to resist effectively.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hernán Cortés’s conquest of the Aztecs was driven by strategic alliances, superior military technology, and the devastating impact of European diseases. While the Aztec Empire was formidable, these factors combined to enable Cortés and his small force to overthrow a civilization that had once been among the most powerful in the Americas.
References
- Prescott, William H. The Conquest of Mexico. Modern Library, 2001.
- Lockhart, James. The Nahuas After the Conquest: A Social History of the Indians of Central Mexico, Sixteenth through Eighteenth Centuries. Stanford University Press, 1992.
- Townsend, Richard F. The Aztecs. Thames & Hudson, 2012.
- Pohl, John M. Heritage of the Conquistadors: The Chroniclers of the New World. University of California Press, 1997.
- Schwaller, John F. The History of the Conquest of Mexico. University of Oklahoma Press, 2018.