why did the spanish conquer the aztecs?
The Spanish were ready to conquer or make an alliance with anyone on their expedition to Tenochtitlan. Cortes the leader of the Spaniards brought eleven ships, five hundred and eight fighting men, one hundred sailors, two hundred indigenous slaves, and sixteen horses on his way to find gold and glory. The Spaniards would fight to kill while the Aztecs would capture their enemies and sacrifice them to their gods. Due to this difference in worldview the Aztec’s weapons were also different from the European weapons that the Spanish used. Even though the Spaniards had advantages the Aztecs were able to defeat them once, before the epidemic struck.
Technologies gave the Spanish a great advantage over the Aztecs. The Spaniards weapons were made to kill while the Aztecs weapons were meant to only injure. For example, the Spanish’s sword was double edged and needle pointed so the fighter can both slash and stab with a deadly effect. As well as the sword, the Aztecs war club was made for swinging and chopping but shattered on hard surface like the Spaniards armor. Spanish also had ships and horses which the Aztecs had never seen before. These technologies along with cannons and guns shocked the Aztecs. Cortes was able to use the horses to his advantage. The animals speed, power and size fascinated the Aztecs. As well, the Spanish were such well-trained riders that they could hold the reins with one hand and attack their enemies with the other. The Aztecs on foot could not compete.
Differences in the worldviews of the Spanish and the Aztecs helped the Spaniards to conquer Tenochtitlan. The Aztecs believed that blood from human sacrifice would nourish the gods and if the gods were not fed blood the world would end. Spanish’s beliefs were much different, they believed in only one god while the Aztecs worshipped many. Also, the Spanish believed sacrifices were unnecessary and cruel. Aztecs believed that it was an honor to be chosen as sacrifice and sent to a
Technologies gave the Spanish a great advantage over the Aztecs. The Spaniards weapons were made to kill while the Aztecs weapons were meant to only injure. For example, the Spanish’s sword was double edged and needle pointed so the fighter can both slash and stab with a deadly effect. As well as the sword, the Aztecs war club was made for swinging and chopping but shattered on hard surface like the Spaniards armor. Spanish also had ships and horses which the Aztecs had never seen before. These technologies along with cannons and guns shocked the Aztecs. Cortes was able to use the horses to his advantage. The animals speed, power and size fascinated the Aztecs. As well, the Spanish were such well-trained riders that they could hold the reins with one hand and attack their enemies with the other. The Aztecs on foot could not compete.
Differences in the worldviews of the Spanish and the Aztecs helped the Spaniards to conquer Tenochtitlan. The Aztecs believed that blood from human sacrifice would nourish the gods and if the gods were not fed blood the world would end. Spanish’s beliefs were much different, they believed in only one god while the Aztecs worshipped many. Also, the Spanish believed sacrifices were unnecessary and cruel. Aztecs believed that it was an honor to be chosen as sacrifice and sent to a