The Conquest Of Mexico Summary

Unraveling the Facts of the Conquest of Mexico Have you ever been in a situation where there were two sides to the story? Did it make you question who was telling the truth? Well this is exactly what happens when you read The Broken Spears by Miguel León Portilla and The Conquest of New Spain by Bernal Díaz. These two accounts reveal information about the conquest of Mexico from two different perspectives. The Broken Spears gives the perspective of the Aztecs, whereas The Conquest of New Spain gives the perspective of the Spanish told by Bernal Díaz. There are many differences in these two accounts specifically in the destruction of Cholula, the treatment of Motecuhzoma by the Spanish, and La Noche Triste the retreat of the Spanish from Tenochtitlan.

Both Broken Spears and The Conquest of New Spain agree that the Spanish tried to leave on a dark rainy night (León-Portilla 84; Díaz 298). However, there is a discrepancy on how far they made it before the Aztecs found out and who saw them leaving. In Broken Spears it is said that the Spanish had just made it past three canals and were getting ready to cross the fourth when a woman discovered them and cried out to the Aztec warriors (León-Portilla 84-85). The Conquest of New Spain recalls that the Spanish were just crossing the first bridge when the Aztecs discovered them and began yelling and charging towards them (Díaz 298). Both sources agree that the attack that occurred filled the canal with dead bodies of Indians, Spaniards, horses, gold, and gifts that the Spanish were trying to take with them (León-Portilla 87; Díaz 299). When the Spanish escaped, the Aztecs took everything out that was left in the canal. They took out all the dead bodies, weapons, and gold that the Spanish left behind (León-Portilla 89). The survivors of the Spanish and allies retreated to a mountain near Tlacopan and eventually went to Tlaxcala (León-Portilla 84). The Conquest of New Spain says that the surviving Spanish and allies first took refuge in the square at Tacuba but had to keep moving because they were followed by Mexicans (Díaz 300). According to Díaz, “within a matter of days, in the battle of Mexico and on the bridges and causeways, and all the engagements, including that of Otumba and those on the road, more than eight hundred and sixty soldiers were killed and sacrificed, and seventy-two more, together with five Spanish women – all belonging to Narvaez’ company – at the town of Tuxtepec, also a thousand Tlascalans (Díaz