(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

Cortez

            There are many casual factors to consider in answering questions on why the Aztec Empire was taken so quickly by the Europeans led by Hernan Cortes. The factors can help understand and explain the conquest of Mexico. Hernan Cortes was able to conquer the Aztecs for several different reasons. All together these reasons allowed Cortes to have the upper hand in the conquest of the new world. The Spanish brought several diseases into Mexico in witch they were immune to but the Aztecs were not. The spread of diseases such as small pox reduced the Aztec population and furthered Cortes" success unintentionally. Also, the Aztecs had a harsh tribute system that was not popular among the peoples of Mexico. This cruel tribute system allowed Cortes to act as though he was a liberator. Another factor that furthered the Spanish conquest was Dona Marina, she proved to be an imperative part in translating local dialects. Another important aspect of the Spanish success was due to Montezuma's belief in the omens and supernatural events. A predominant reason for the Spanish success was due to their weaponry especially their armor and firepower. The most important reason of all was that of Cortes" Indian allies such as the Tlaxcalans who made up the majority of his combined army. All these reasons worked together to allow Cortes with an inadequate amount of conquistadors to conquer the Aztec Empire of millions of people. .
             The Aztec's harsh tribute system allowed Cortes to act as a liberator of the indigenous people. Bernal Diaz in his report shows this, "Tlaxcala, whose people were linguistically and culturally akin to the Mexica, but who were also their traditional political enemies." The process of human sacrifice was extremely common and was feared by the majority of the common people. The Aztecs as a nourishment for the Sun and all other gods needed human sacrifice. As the majority of those who were sacrificed were war captives who opposed the Aztecs, they obviously greatly feared the brutal tribute system.


Essays Related to Cortez

1. Hernan Cortez - Rebel or Empire Builder

Hernan Cortez was, simultaneously, both a builder of Spain's empire and a rebel. ... Unknown to Velasquez, the cunning Cortez had persuaded his advisors to advise him to appoint Cortez and as soon as they set sail Cortez would never obey him again. ... This shows that Cortez was a rebel from the beginning. ... At 34, Hernan Cortez had taken over an empire of millions. ... Cortez re-gathered his army and the attack was launched. ...

  • Word Count: 988
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

2. Broken

For the conqueror Hernan Cortez his motivation was no doubt more complex. ... Is Herman Cortez guilty of genocide, crimes against peace, and war crimes? ... The Tlaxcaltecas told Cortez, "Cholula is our enemy. ... Therefore it can be said that Cortez is guilty of Crimes against Peace. ... Cortez's main motivation was gold and wealth. ...

  • Word Count: 720
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

3. Conquistadors

Spanish Conquistadors In one of his speeches to his men, Cortez spoke of the great rewards that will come to them for their services. ... All in the same speech, Cortez has his men, as well as all scholars to come, understand their reasoning for being in the Americas. ... Aside from Cortez's speech telling his men of their personal wealth, Bernal Diaz described one of the promises that Cortez had made to his men as "would receive a share of the gold, silver, and riches to be gained." ... Cortez also presumed that there was nothing that could stop him from attaining his fame. Juan de ...

  • Word Count: 778
  • Approx Pages: 3

4. "How did 600 Spanish conquistadors defeat the Aztec Empire?"

Along with the 600 Spanish conquistadors, Cortez allied himself with ten thousand native enemies of the Aztecs. ... Cortez used his allies to surround Tenochtitlan and to force a seize. ... Cortez now used Tenochtitlan's best defense against the city. ... Cortez then destroyed the aqueducts that brought fresh water to the city. ... After six more months of fighting, Cortez had managed to destroy all the buildings in the city and conquer the Aztec Empire. ...

  • Word Count: 1406
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

5. Poverty in the Third World Countries

One can say that they could have accomplished lots of things, but Hernan Cortez, a Spaniard soldier came to Las Americas in search of gold and other riches. ... And also accompanied by Hernan Cortez, Francisco Pizarro, destroyed the civilization, and what is now Peru and other countries are almost on the line of poverty. ...

  • Word Count: 424
  • Approx Pages: 2

6. Aztec

When Hernando Cortez arrived at the Valley of Mexico in 1519, he found a huge city standing in lake Texcoco. ... The Aztecs the most advanced civilization when Cortez was there, but they did not start it . ... In 1521 B.C. the civilization ended, Cortez took them over. Cortez and his armies were the only people who could take the Aztecs over, all the others the Aztecs could destroy. ...

  • Word Count: 454
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

7. Mexican food

When the Spanish explorer Cortez and his followers came to the new world in search of fortune, they found a wealth of culinary specialties such as chocolate, peanuts, vanilla, beans, squash, avocados, coconuts, corn and tomatoes. ... On November 8, 1519, Cortez entered Montezuma's capitol along with seven thousand native soldiers he had recruited along the way. ... After many bloody battles, on August 13th 1521, Cortez claimed the capitol. ...

  • Word Count: 754
  • Approx Pages: 3

8. Native Americans

For example, when Cortez landed on the Mexican shores on 1519, he used the Aztecs for their gold. ... Cortez (coming back into the picture) actually commits to using both types of work. ... On top of that, Cortez will use the "leftover" Natives as slaves to work on the mines and fields or as servants. Also, in the Spanish New World Empire, "There they supervised Indian or African workers in mining, ranching, or agriculture. " The Spanish New World Empire and Cortez definitely show that some form of Native slavery or Native servants was used. ...

  • Word Count: 1261
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

9. American Revolution

Hernando Cortez was the leader of the Spanish conquering of the Aztec people. ... Cortez sent letters to Charles describing the Aztecs as a friendly people that welcomed the Spanish to their land. "About one thousand of the principal citizens came out to meet me all richly dressed alike according to their fashion each one in approaching me, and before speaking, would use a ceremony which is common amongst them, putting his hand on the ground and afterwards kissing it- (Ziegler 107) By bowing before Cortez, the Aztecs showed their respect for him. Cortez wrote to Charles telling him of all ...

  • Word Count: 1746
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Grade Level: High School

10. European Settler

Between 1518 and 1521 Hernando Cortez lead an expedition of approximately 600 men to the new world in what is now Mexico. ... When war did break loose, Cortez was forced to flee. ... It was Hernando Cortez's overall desire for riches that caused the downfall of the Aztecs. Although the initial fighting with the Native Americans was not caused by their greed for gold, Cortez set out for Mexico from Cuba purely in search of famous riches. After barely escaping the city with only one fourth of his men, Cortez gathered more troops to attack the city and steal the rest of their treasures. ...

  • Word Count: 524
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question