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In 1519, the Spanish explorer, Hernan Cortes, sailed from Spain (in Europe) to land in what is now Mexico. After a difficult journey, Cortes and his men entered the Aztec capital city and met Moctezuma, the Aztec leader.
In 1519, the Spanish explorer, Hernan Cortes, sailed from Spain (in Europe) to land in what is now Mexico. After a difficult journey, Cortes and his men entered the Aztec capital city and met Moctezuma, the Aztec leader.
Normally, the Aztec would have killed outsiders immediately or used them for a sacrifice ceremony. But the Spanish were lucky. They were allowed to enter the city, and welcomed as valued guests, all because of an old legend or story that said the gods would someday return. This old story was about two gods who played each other in the ballgame. Supposedly, the god of night won. As the winner, the god of night sent the god of creation far away. The creator god vowed that someday he would return, when the end of the world was near, to save his people.
Normally, the Aztec would have killed outsiders immediately or used them for a sacrifice ceremony. But the Spanish were lucky. They were allowed to enter the city, and welcomed as valued guests, all because of an old legend or story that said the gods would someday return. This old story was about two gods who played each other in the ballgame. Supposedly, the god of night won. As the winner, the god of night sent the god of creation far away. The creator god vowed that someday he would return, when the end of the world was near, to save his people.
Here is the cartoon version of the Spanish arriving and the Aztecs being surprised. Let's watch it.
Here is the cartoon version of the Spanish arriving and the Aztecs being surprised. Let's watch it.
The Aztecs were always worried that the end of the world was near. That's why they sacrificed so many people. They wanted to keep their gods very happy. When the Spanish arrived, the Aztecs believed the creator god had kept his promise and had returned because it was the same year their story said he would return. What a coincidence. The Aztecs treated the Spanish as if they were gods.
The Aztecs were always worried that the end of the world was near. That's why they sacrificed so many people. They wanted to keep their gods very happy. When the Spanish arrived, the Aztecs believed the creator god had kept his promise and had returned because it was the same year their story said he would return. What a coincidence. The Aztecs treated the Spanish as if they were gods.
The Spanish were amazed at what they found in the capital city of Tenochtitlan. Everything was clean. There were “eating houses” and hairdressers. You could buy medicines and herbs and all kinds of food. There were streets that sold many different items. No one used money. Goods were bartered or traded and small differences in value were evened up using cacao beans.
The Spanish were amazed at what they found in the capital city of Tenochtitlan. Everything was clean. There were “eating houses” and hairdressers. You could buy medicines and herbs and all kinds of food. There were streets that sold many different items. No one used money. Goods were bartered or traded and small differences in value were evened up using cacao beans.
After, being welcomed by the Aztecs, the Spanish made themselves comfortable in the Aztec capital city. However, the Spanish did not act like gods. They did not do the things that gods did. They even avoided the sacrifice ceremonies that were done for them. The Spanish placed Moctezuma (the Aztec leader) in jail but still the Aztec warriors did not attack. Instead, they asked the Spanish to leave. The Spanish left but did not go far. The Spanish hid and waited to attack. They were also trying to get nearby tribes to join their fight against the Aztec.
After, being welcomed by the Aztecs, the Spanish made themselves comfortable in the Aztec capital city. However, the Spanish did not act like gods. They did not do the things that gods did. They even avoided the sacrifice ceremonies that were done for them. The Spanish placed Moctezuma (the Aztec leader) in jail but still the Aztec warriors did not attack. Instead, they asked the Spanish to leave. The Spanish left but did not go far. The Spanish hid and waited to attack. They were also trying to get nearby tribes to join their fight against the Aztec.
Disease also helped bring down the Aztecs. The Aztecs had never been exposed to smallpox. The Spanish carried this contagious disease but were immune to it. So while the Spanish hid and prepared to fight, many Aztec people died. Some estimate that more than 1/2 of the Aztec died from smallpox.
Disease also helped bring down the Aztecs. The Aztecs had never been exposed to smallpox. The Spanish carried this contagious disease but were immune to it. So while the Spanish hid and prepared to fight, many Aztec people died. Some estimate that more than 1/2 of the Aztec died from smallpox.
The Spanish did return, and they were much better prepared to fight than the Aztec warriors. It was not only the Spanish guns that won the day. Spanish horses and dogs also helped. The Spanish brought huge fierce mastiffs with them into battle. As well, the Spanish had help from the other tribes in the area. These tribes saw a chance to get even with the Aztecs. Very soon, the Aztec Empire was done. The Spanish built a new town called Mexico City in this exact location. That is what it is still called today.
The Spanish did return, and they were much better prepared to fight than the Aztec warriors. It was not only the Spanish guns that won the day. Spanish horses and dogs also helped. The Spanish brought huge fierce mastiffs with them into battle. As well, the Spanish had help from the other tribes in the area. These tribes saw a chance to get even with the Aztecs. Very soon, the Aztec Empire was done. The Spanish built a new town called Mexico City in this exact location. That is what it is still called today.
Fall of Aztec only.wmv"How do we know what we know?" Written records from the Spanish have told us this story. There are also primary sources of Cortes writing a letter to the king of Spain.
"How do we know what we know?" Written records from the Spanish have told us this story. There are also primary sources of Cortes writing a letter to the king of Spain.
This is one letter archaeologists have studied.
This is one letter archaeologists have studied.
“We lodged in the chief’s house, situated in the most refreshing gardens ever seen. In their midst flows a beautiful stream, beset with flower beds, an infinite number of different fruit trees, many herbs and fragrant flowers. Three hundred men had charge of these birds for their sole employment. Over each pool there were beautifully decorated galleries and corridors, where Moctezuma came to amuse himself by watching them. I do not mention the other diverting things Moctezuma had in the city, because they were so many and so various.”
“We lodged in the chief’s house, situated in the most refreshing gardens ever seen. In their midst flows a beautiful stream, beset with flower beds, an infinite number of different fruit trees, many herbs and fragrant flowers. Three hundred men had charge of these birds for their sole employment. Over each pool there were beautifully decorated galleries and corridors, where Moctezuma came to amuse himself by watching them. I do not mention the other diverting things Moctezuma had in the city, because they were so many and so various.”
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