How was the Aztec empire conquered?

Answer 1

The first major American civilisation to fall to the Spanish was that of the Aztecs. The Aztec Empire was relatively new - it dated from approximately the fourteenth century - but enjoyed a successful history of vigorous expansion. The empire was still growing when the Spaniards appeared at the southern boundary of the Valley of Mexico. The Aztec capital, Tenochtitlán, was a splendid complex of cities, lakes, and canals that served as the centre of Mesoamerican civilisation.

The Spanish assault on Mexico was set in motion by Diego Velásquez, the Spanish Governor of Cuba. By the early sixteenth century, the Spanish settlement in Cuba was mired in problems. Quite simply, there was neither enough land nor enough slave labour to meet the needs of a growing European population. Velásquez therefore sent expeditions into the Yucatán and the Gulf of Mexico between 1516 and 1518 to conduct reconnaissance missions in the surrounding area. Although the voyages did not yield an immediate solution for the Governor of Cuba, there were indications of a wealthy civilisation somewhere just beyond the Spaniard's reach. Intrigued and excited about the possibility of finding the source of this wealth, Velásquez commissioned Hernán Cortés to explore, trade, and search for Christian captives in the Yucatán.

Hernán Cortés left Spain at the age of nineteen after a brief period studying law and a fortuitous escape from a jealous husband. He used his personal connections to acquire an encomienda. Later he impressed Governor Diego Velásquez and served as his clerk during the expedition to conquer and settle Cuba in 1511. Cortés' pass performance made him the perfect candidate for the Governor's third expedition to the main land. But Cortés' ambition and personal magnetism made Velásquez suspect his loyalty. Velásquez planned on removing him as the leader of the expedition. Cortés discovered this and cut short his preparations and set sail for the mainland on February 18, 1519.

With a few pieces of artillery, sixteen horsemen, and roughly 400 infantry soldiers recruited from the poor whites of Cuba, Cortés made for the Gulf coast. While there, Cortés renounced Velásquez authority by founding his own city, Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz, whose newly elected town council (cabildo) selected him as its chief administrative officer. Cortés then ordered his small fleet destroyed to persuade those under his command to accept his authority. Cortés did not want to explore, trade, and search for Christian captives. Rather, his goal was nothing less than the conquest of Mexico. He wrote to King Charles V, and sought confirmation of the title of chief officer of Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz that he had conferred upon himself. He also explained to the king the "ungodly ways" of the indigenous population and stated that his would be a "just war" against their tyrannical ruler. Cortés did not hurt his own cause when he described the wealth of the Aztecs and claimed that he wanted to conquer the territory in the name of Christianity and the Spanish Crown. Convinced that his actions would ultimately justify the steps he had already taken, Cortés set off overland for the Mexican capital.

Upon the advice of his two translators - Jeronimo Aguilar, a shipwreck Survivor, and Malitzin, an indigenous woman who spoke both Maya and Nahuatla - Cortés began to seek out native allies who were already hostile to the Aztecs. Cortés marched his troops along a route designed to recruit as many volunteers and supporters to the Spanish cause as possible. Cortés soon won the support of the Cempoalans, and the Tlaxcalans. With the strong support of the several indigenous groups who acted as allies, interpreters and guides, the expedition took three months to complete the 300-kilometer journey, much of it over difficult terrain. Arriving on the outskirts of Tenochtitlán the city's populous believed Cortés to be the descendent of the white-skinned god Quetzalcoatlin of Aztec prophesy. This prophesy stated that Quetzalcoatlin had left Mexico in the tenth century but would return from the east to reclaim his authority over the Aztecs. The Aztec Emperor, Moctezuma, saw Cortés' arrival as the fulfilment of this prophecy and welcomed the party warmly, presenting the Spaniards with lavish gifts.