Name: ______________________________________________The Atlantic World, Day 2:The Spanish and the Aztecs

In 1519, Hernando Cortes landed on the shores of Mexico. Spain had already colonized several islands in the Caribbean, and Cortes was one of many conquistadors who were determined to continue inland and claim even more land for Spain. After he landed, he heard of a vast and rich empire in the interior ruled by a people called the Aztecs. Cortes lead his men through treacherous mountainous terrain, and after weeks of trekking they arrived at the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan. The leader, Montezuma, was somewhat friendly to the visitors at first, since he believed that Cortes might be a god dressed in armor. He agreed to give Cortes some of the empire’s gold supply, yet Cortes was not satisfied. He claimed he had “a disease of the heart that only gold could cure,” and decided that he and his men must completely take over the Aztecs.

However, Cortes was greatly outnumbered - he had only 600 men, while the Aztec empire numbered in the thousands, perhaps even millions. His men thought he was far too ambitious to conquer such a large and powerful empire with so few men, to the point where Cortes had to burn the ships that had brought them from Cuba to the mainland to prevent his men from abandoning him. In attempt to persuade them, he gave the following speech:

“We are engaging in a just and good war which will bring us fame. Almighty God, in whose name and faith it will be waged will give us victory. Here I offer you great rewards, although they will be wrapped about with great hardships. And if you do not abandon me, as I shall not abandon you. I shall make you in a very short time the richest of all men who have crossed the seas, and of all the armies that have here made war. You are few, I see, but such is your spirit that no effort or force of Indians will prevail against you. For we have seen by experience how God has favored the Spanish nation in the Americas, and how we have never lacked courage or strength, and never shall.”

...Yet his men are still not convinced. They need more details about specific strategies and what advantages - if any - the Spanish have over the Aztecs. In order to persuade his men that victory is in fact possible, Cortes has asked you to examine some evidence about the Aztecs and compose a speech for him to give his men outlining how the mighty Aztecs can be defeated. The speech must contain at least TWO strengths of the enemy (the Aztecs), as well as a detailed and specific explanation of at least THREE strategies or advantages that will ensure a Spanish victory. (see back for rubric)

In order to guide your analysis and be sure you give the captain thorough advice, here are some questions to consider:

Document A: Describe the geography of Tenochtitlan. Do you think the city’s layout will make it easy or difficult

to defend? ________________________________________________________________________________________

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Document B: According to this source, what is life like for people in the Aztec Empire? ______________________

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Document C: Describe the meeting of Cortes and Motecuhzoma. Why does Motecuhzoma treat Cortes the way

he does? Do you think Cortes is being truthful about what he says to Motecuhzoma?________________________

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Document D: Describe the image. How might this relate to information in Document B? _____________________

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Document E: Who is in the painting next to Cortes, and what is her role? How does this relate to Document D?

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Document F: What advantage does this painting portray? How does this compare to your analysis of document

A? _______________________________________________________________________________________________

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Document G: How does this description compare to the scene depicted in Document H? How are the Spaniards

portrayed? ________________________________________________________________________________________

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Document H: Describe the scene in the painting. What is different about the appearance of the Spaniards and

the Aztecs? _______________________________________________________________________________________

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Document I: Who and what is being portrayed in this painting? How does this connect with your analysis of the

interaction between the Spaniards and the Aztecs? _____________________________________________________

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Thoughts on how the mighty Aztecs can be defeated by the

Spanish:

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Name of researcher: _____________________________________________

Rubric:

Explains at least TWO strengths of the enemy (the Aztecs)Contains a detailed and specific explanation of at least THREE strategies or advantages that will ensure a Spanish victoryUses parenthetical references to at least FOUR documentsIs well organized and well argued

________ / 25 points

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Document A: Depiction of Tenochtitlan, capital city of the Aztec Empire

Document B:

“With a core population recently estimated at 5 to 6 million people, the Aztec Empire was a loosely structured and unstable conquest state that witnessed frequent rebellions by its subject peoples. Conquered peoples and cities were required to regularly deliver to their Aztec rulers impressive quantities of textiles and clothing, military supplies, jewelry, and other luxuries, various foodstuffs, animal products, building materials, rubber balls, paper, and more. The process was overseen by local imperial tribute collectors, who sent the required goods on to Tenochtitlan, a metropolis of 150,000 to 200,000 people, where they were meticulously recorded.”

Secondary Source: “The Aztec Empire” in Ways of the World by Robert W. Strayer; p. 590

Document C: The meeting of Cortes and Motecuhzoma

[Upon meeting Cortes, Motecuhzoma explained], "This was foretold by the kings who governed your city, and

now it has taken place. You have come back to us; you have come down from the sky. Rest now, and take

possession of your royal houses. Welcome to your land, my lords! "

When Motecuhzoma had finished, La Malinche translated his address into Spanish so that the Captain could

understand it. Cortés replied in his strange and savage tongue, speaking first to La Malinche: "Tell

Motecuhzoma that we are his friends. There is nothing to fear. We have wanted to see him for a long time, and

now we have seen his face and heard his words. Tell him that we love him well and that our hearts are

contented."

Then he said to Motecuhzoma: "We have come to your house in Mexico as friends. There is nothing to fear."

La Malinche translated this speech and the Spaniards grasped Motecuhzoma's hands and patted his back to

show their affection for him....

Source: Excerpt from The Broken Spears, an Aztec account of the meeting of Cortes and Motecuhzoma, 1519.

Document D: Human sacrifice to honor the sun, Aztec codex, 16th century.

Document E: “Divide and conquer:  Cortes and Malinche negotiate with leaders on route to Tenochtitlan”

Document F: Spanish "gunboats" fire on Tenochtitlan

Document G:

When the dance was loveliest and when song was linked to song, the Spaniards were seized with an urge to kill

the celebrants. They all ran forward, armed as if for battle. They closed the entrances and passageways...then

[they] rushed into the Sacred Patio to slaughter the inhabitants...they attacked the man who was drumming

and cut off his arms. Then they cut off his head, and it rolled across the floor. They attacked all the celebrants

stabbing them, spearing them, striking them with swords...others they beheaded...or split their heads to

pieces...The blood of the warriors flowed like water and gathered into pools...They invaded every room, hunting

and killing...

Primary Source: Aztec account of the massacre at the temple in May 1520; Florentine codex

Document H: “The Massacre of the Nobles”

Document I: Image of a Mesoamerican infected with smallpox; illustrated panel from the Florentine Codex, a compendium of information on Aztec people and history by Bernardino de Sahagún, a 16th-century Spanish Franciscan missionary