In this week’s reading, “Spanish Conquest” by Elizabeth Carmichael and Chloe Sayer discuss the subjugation, ethnocide, and struggle the indigenous population of Mexico endured during the Spanish conquest. The Spanish conquistador, Hernan Cortez, enslave and forced the Aztecs to believe that Christianity was the one true religion. Therefore, the indigenous people were forced to convert their faith through the Spanish missionaries to lose their indigenous roots. Later, the authors explain the many difficulties and conflicts Spanish priest underwent to teach the Christian faith to the Aztecs. The Spanish friar first taught the indigenous people Christianity in Nahuatl.
The factors that contributed the most to the fall of the Aztec Empire were; Aztecs mistaking Cortes for Quetzacoatl, Aztec conflict with neighbouring groups, and no cure for Smallpox. To begin, Mocetezuma confusing Cores for Quetzacoatl caused the downfall of the Aztecs. Because Moctezuma thought Cortes was Quetzacoatl he gave VOrtes a whole tour of the city and let him live in his dad’s old house. While on the tour Cortes saw the gold that the Aztecs had.
The author gives insight on how many ways the Spaniards used their power to assist in the downfall of the Aztecs. The reason why the Spaniards became victorious, was because the Spaniards were looked upon as if they were gods because of their outer appearance. The Aztecs broke bread and welcomed the Spaniards with gifts and parties. The Aztecs triggered their relationship with the Spaniards by holding a ritual for the arrival of the god which included a human sacrifice. The Spaniards didn’t agree with the rituals and began to despise the Aztecs.
A possible reason for why the Spanish conquered the Aztecs was the Spanish wanted to spread Christianity. Two sources corroborate that Spain wanted to spread Christianity. According to Document A, it says “There is to be a church and a chaplain entrusted with indoctrinating and teaching them our Holy Catholic faith.” The government was paying for the churches and making sure the culture is spread from town to town. As a result of the churches being established in the Aztec Empire, the Aztecs have to practice the religion and learning the culture of Spain.
Tragically, with the takeover, the great Aztec people were enslaved and turned into landworkers. In return, they were given basically no legal rights, little food and water, and worked for no pay. These poor slaves were often abused and mistreated. Additionally, what they were promised was never fulfilled by the Spanish people. The New Aztecs hierarchy was now changed to one called the encomienda system.
The nature of Aztec society contributed to its conquest by Cortés by them believing he was a god. The Aztecs were very friendly and displayed great hospitality to Cortés and his men. They did this because the Aztecs believed that the Spaniards were gods so when Cortés arrived, they viewed him as a god. Cortés was able to persuade the Aztecs to get them on his side. He presented European weapons and technology to them and they accepted it with excitement.
The Aztecs were killing off Thousands of their Civilians and People via Human Sacrifices, Killing off thousands of them made the Civilians lose hope in the Emperor and Empire Religion also led to the Decline in the Aztec Empire, this is because the Aztecs captured some of the Spanish Army, and Refused to kill them because they wanted MORE HUMAN SACRIFICES, This eventually led to the Spanish Army coming back for more. Disease also played a major part in the Fall of the Aztec Empire, The Emperor Cuitláhuac, Died of Smallpox, Along with many of their Armies leaders following his death. More epidemics of disease would ravage the Aztec Empire over the next 50 to 60 years, Typhoid Fever being one of them. Invasion from the European, Spanish,
Hernan Cortes killed 5% of the aztec empire. The 90% died from smallpox and the 4% died in the attack. The spanish brought the other 5% with them to Spain as slaves. On August/13/1521 most of the Aztecs race died and Hernan Cortes was declared
Although it was one of the greatest civilizations known to the Mesoamerican area, the Aztec Empire was destined to fall at some point. Religion, disease, and neighboring enemies all played a part in the eventual fall of the Aztec Empire. When Spanish Conquistador, Hernan Cortez arrived in Mexico in 1519, he brought many superior weapons and soldiers with him. When he went to Tenochtitlan, he was greeted with gold and many gifts. The Aztec Emperor, Montezuma believe Cortez to be something of a god.
The Aztecs' morals and the devoted Spaniards would be the downfall of the Aztec Empire in 1521. Tenochtitlan was a marvelous Aztec capital with beautiful architecture and impressive markets. With outstanding temples made of stone, the city surrounded by rivers, and advance trading routes. This great city that took years to build in addition maintained over # civilians would have declined in a questionably short amount of time.
The Aztec and Incan empires were destroyed in similar ways. While their empires were ruled differently and focused on different things their downfall was caused by even the same group of people. Their destruction wasn't peaceful and somewhat gory. Important factors of the fall of the Aztec and Incan empires were European expeditions, disease, and warfare. The Aztec and Incan empires were both unique in their own ways.
The leading contributor to this appears to be clashing views of religion on opposing sides; for the Aztecs, it was their ritual of sacrifice to their gods. The rulers of the Aztec empire were elected because of recognition gained from brutal conquest and capture of the prisoners of war for religious practices. The Aztec empire ruled for centuries under this religious belief before the Spanish arrived and challenged their rule. However, if the Spanish conquistadors never arrived, another and perhaps more resentful group of indigenous people would have built an army to take the empire down. Nonetheless, when the Spanish arrived, vengeful natives took the opportunity to side with the Europeans against the Aztecs.
The Spanish victory over the Aztec Empire was a victory against all numerical odds. There were many factors that contributed to the remarkable victory by the
In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Mrs. Dubose’s suffering helps Jem and Scout learn about perseverance, virtuous characteristics and how much she really desires to do the right thing. Without realizing it, Mrs. Dubose shows Jem and Scout how to do what they know will be hard, combat fear with courage, and standing up for the right thing. She teaches them by her actions not by words without ever leaving her own bed. TRANSITIONAL SENTENCE Even though Mrs. Dubose knows how much pain coming off morphine will include, she continues to fight through the agony and suffering.
The fall of the Aztec Empire was due to the determination of the Spaniards. The Spaniards were destructive. They did not respect the Natives’ religions at all. They almost destroyed all of the Natives’ culture, and now we know very little about Natives. The Spaniards’ greed and obsession with power, this was their main motivation to conquer the Aztec Empire.
