How Did Cortes Build The Aztec Religion

The power of the church is seen from the very beginning when Christopher Columbus set forth believing he was ordained by god to preach the holy name and gospel. Hernan Cortes believed that it was vital for the Indians to subjugate themselves to the spanish throne and to Christ. It had been declared that war and enslavement had to be invoked on those that had rejected the Gospel. The requerimiento informing natives of Spain’s right to conquest was read to them and then violence pursued if they continued to reject God’s will. After, the Aztecs were defeated by Hernan Cortes and his men, the spanish conquerors began the gradual process of converting the Aztecs to Christianity. Much of the arrivals of the conquistadors were a huge shock to the

Montezuma king of the aztecs during the era had even confirmed that Cortes was Quetzalcoatl or a reincarnation of their deity. Cortes continued to play the role of Quetzalcoatl for many years and eventually impacted others to convert. When Cortes saw resistance from Montezuma, he began to take matters into his own hands and destroyed Aztec relics, symbols, temples, and altars. Eventually, replaced with the image of the Virgin Mary. Many of the spanish missionaries kidnapped young aztec children and raised them as Catholics to believe the Aztec religion was evil and to burn images of anything that reminded the people of the previous religion. The Spaniards converted the indigenous population through the use of force to gain wealth, power, and land for Spain. One argument portrayed in history was the fact that the Aztecs chose to convert due to similarities between the Christian religion and the Nahua religion of the aztecs. For example, both religions refer to a female figure, the Virgin Mary and in the Aztec faith Tonantzin (“our mother”-goddess of fertility of life). Perhaps, the idea of Baptism-purifying one’s soul was appealing to the aztec people. The aztecs also practiced confession if they had committed a sin, but if the sin continuously was performed they were often not forgiven. Other similar practices, were communions, fastings, and feasts. Later on, Aztec

They held most of the power in Spain alongside the Royals and Church. Even though, it seems like a huge portion of the process of conversion was carried out through violence. Many missionaries offered Native Americans (Indians); protection from enemies, a better supply of food, and basic skills. Such as they were taught how to read, write, and many had learned metalworking. But with time, the Indians believed they were being treated as slaves. Which, many began to rebel and burn spanish settlements until forced under spanish rule once again. Not all spaniards agreed with the methods enforced upon the people. One man by the name of Bartolome de las Casas fought against the abuse of the Indians and due to such efforts, laws were issued freeing all enslaved Native