Why did Spain attack the Aztecs?
Hernán Cortés was a Spanish conquistador, or conqueror, best remembered for conquering the Aztec empire in 1521 and claiming Mexico for Spain. “He was a smart, ambitious man who wanted to appropriate new land for the Spanish crown, convert native inhabitants to Catholicism, and plunder the lands for gold and riches.”
What did the Spanish do that angered the Aztecs?
However, during the battle, the Aztec’s sacrificed many of the Spanish prisoners of war that they had held captive. This angered Cortés and caused him to order the destruction of the city and the Aztec people. Tenochtitlan was finally captured by the Spanish and Tlaxcala on August 13th, 1521.
Could the Aztecs have defeated the Spanish?
They couldn’t have. Not because of weaponry or Aztec decline – but the fact remains that about 70% of them were wiped out by disease. A weakened, crippled population with half its leadership dead of smallpox was the main reason why the Spaniards won their Empire and why they were able to create a mestizo culture.
What did the Aztecs think of the Spanish?
The Aztecs first thought the Spanish were gods due to their light skin and dark hair. The Aztecs would pay the Spanish gold and other gifts to celebrate them.
Why couldn’t the Aztecs stop the Spanish?
The overthrow of the Aztec Empire by Cortez and his expedition rests on three factors: The fragility of that empire, the tactical advantages of Spanish technology, and smallpox.
Why did the Aztecs rebel against the Spanish?
June 30, 1520: Faced with an Aztec revolt against their rule, forces under the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés fight their way out of Tenochtitlan at heavy cost. The conquered peoples resented the Aztec demands for tribute and victims for the religious sacrifices, but the Aztec military kept rebellion at bay.
What if the Spanish failed to conquer the Aztecs?
Smallpox and other diseases from Europe would’ve decimated the Aztecs and made them much weaker than the society that Cortez faced. It might have been 5 or 10 years later, but the outcome would’ve been the same, particularly after their numbers were reduced by 90% from disease.
Why did the Aztecs revolt against the Spanish?
Why were the Aztecs afraid of the Spanish?
The longer the Spanish stayed in the capital city, the more suspicious the Aztec leaders became. The Spanish did not act like gods. They did not attend the sacrifice ceremonies that were given in their honor. The Aztecs decided it was time for the Spanish to leave.
How did the Aztecs lose against the Spanish?
During the Spaniards’ retreat, they defeated a large Aztec army at Otumba and then rejoined their Tlaxcaltec allies. In May 1521, Cortés returned to Tenochtitlán, and after a three-month siege the city fell. This victory marked the fall of the Aztec empire.
Why did the Aztecs have no chance against the Spanish conquerors?
This made it easier to conquer the remaining Aztecs. The Spaniards’ victory is attributed to their technological advances and the Aztec empire’s vulnerability due to the smallpox spread. As a result, the Aztec’s tactics countering the Spaniard’s advanced technology is understated.
What would happen if Spain never colonized Mexico?
Mexico is the independent state of New Spain, a Spanish colony. Without Spain there is no Mexico. Mexico did not exist before Spain, Spain didn’t colonise their country, it is the illusion of some modern people that countries always existed. Mexico is the independent state of New Spain, a Spanish colony.