How Did Spanish Warfare Lead To The Fall Of The Aztecs

Oleg Kubay

Professor Ortega

History 23

22 September 2014 Warfare: Aztec & Spanish

The fall of the Aztec empire was one of the major events that lead to the Spanish colonization of America. There were many factors contributing to the fall of the Aztec Empire like sacrificing their own people, which significantly lowered them in ranks making them a weaker colony. Also being the first people to sacrifice other people in the name of religion made them a threat to the Spaniards and Tlaxcala and many others. The Aztec and Spanish Warfare lead to the fall o f the Aztec empire but the victory of the Spaniards mainly because of philosophical differences, tactics, and weapons.

The Aztecs would sacrifice

Even though this seemed like a problem they easily made up for this lack of numbers by making allies with other Indian. “Mexica (‘Aztec’) weapons were simple, but really effective, and were of two basic types: close-up weapons for hand-to-hand fighting and long-range weapons for attacking from a distance” (internet reference). The atlatl or dart-thrower was the long range weapons. It was used by just like a dog ball thrower. Then there were bows, arrows, and maquahuitl. Maquahuitl was a wooden staff with volcanic class blades studded in the sides of the staff. This weapon was primarily used for sort rage. These weapons were very effective but the Spaniards had on armor which protected them from some of the weapons. The Spaniards had far more superior and effective weapons like steel swords and iron armor which made it a little harder for the Aztec’s to compete. Guns and cannons were used on the Aztec defenders in order to dismantle it and make them more vulnerable to attack. One of the most interesting things that shocked me was that the Aztec’s have never seen horses and when they came in contact with their cavalry they would get