The Spanish Conquest of Mexico

1
The Spanish Conquest of Mexico
2
A Fragile State
3
Hernando Cortez
4
1517 Evil Omens
5
Feb. 1519 Cortez defies the Governor
The Spanish landing
Spaniards assaulting a temple in Mexico
6
April 20, 1519 A Display of Force
7
Moctezuma II
8
Human Sacrifice
9
Cortez Burns his Boats
Montezuma and the Mexicans weep upon hearing of
the power of the Spaniards.
The rulers of the Tlaxcalla went to meet the
Spaniards with gifts of turkey, eggs and fine
white tortillas.
10
Malinche
11
Cortezs Route
12
His Expedition Force
13
Captives are sacrificed before Montezuma hears
the news, their hearts torn out, their blood
sprinkled over the messengers.
14
Quetzalcoatl?
15
Montezuma sent a company of noblemen, with
magicians, wizards, sorcerers and priests to meet
Cortez.
16
Nov. 1519 The Most Beautiful Thing in the World
Malinche interprets for the Spaniards when Cortez
meets Montezuma.
Then they took Montezuma by the hand and led him
away.
17
Tenochtitlan
18
The Fateful Meeting
19
Cortezs version
"For a long time we have known from the writing
of our ancestors that neither I, not any of those
who dwell in this land, are natives of it, but
foreigners who came from very distant parts and
likewise we know that a chieftain of whom they
were all vassals brought our people to this
region. . . . So because of the place from which
you claim to come, namely from where the sun
rises, and the things you tell us of the great
lord or king who sent you here, we believe and
are certain that he is our natural lord,
especially as you say that he has known of us for
some time. So be assured that we will obey you
and hold you as our lord in place of that great
sovereign of whom you speak and in this there
shall be no offence or betrayal whatsoever."
20
Aztec version
"Our lord, thou hast suffered fatigue, thou hast
endured weariness. Thou hast come to arrive on
earth. Thou hast come to govern thy city of
Mexico thou hast come to descend upon thy mat,
upon thy seat, which for a moment I have guarded
for thee. . . . And now it has been fulfilled
thou hast come. Thou hast endured fatigue, thou
hast endured weariness. peace be with thee. Rest
thyself. Visit thy palace. Rest thy body. My
peace be with our lords...."
21
Offering of Fruits, Tobacco, Cacao, and Vanilla
to the EmperorCredit Diego Rivera, Fresco,
1942. Palacio Nacional, Mexico
22
Nov. 1519 Montezuma Arrested
The Spaniards questioned Montezuma about gold.
He guided them to the treasure house and had all
the great things brought forth. . . . They at
once removed the gold from all the shields and
emblems. In great contentment they clapped one
another on the back.
23
June 1520 Massacre at Tenochtitlan
Spaniards took refuge within the great palace and
put Montezuma in irons.
24
Montezumas Death
25
December 1520 Siege and Starvation
26
The Great Rash
27
The Aztecs Last Stand
28
An Eyewitness Account
29
Cortezs Fate
Title page from the Latin translation of Cortezs
letter to Charles V, 1524
30
Broken Spears
Broken spears lie in the roads we have torn our
hair in grief. The houses are roofless now, and
their wallsare reddened with blood. Worms are
swarming in the streets and plazas,and the walls
are splattered with gore.The water has turned
red, as if it were dyed,and when we drink it,it
has the taste of brine. We have pounded our
hands in despairagainst the adobe walls, for
our inheritance, our city, is lost and dead.The
shields of our warriors were its defense,but
they could not save it . . . .
31
Bibliography
Images and text from PBSs Conquistadors On-line
Learning Adventure at http//www.pbs.org/conquista
dors/cortes/