Ch. 10

Question 1

What are the steps of the conquistador’s formula?

Answer 1

1. Expedition would set out from a recent colony
2. After landing, try to meet peacefully with locals to learn about who is the most powerful leader
3. Invite the most powerful leader to exchange gifts and then take him hostage-threatening to kill him if he doesn’t do what they say
4. If they have to fight, do so on open ground, as their weapons gave them a huge advantage
5. The leader would remain governor, and the second-in-command would be in charge of the next expedition

Question 2

Describe the relationship between Cortes and Velazquez

Answer 2

Velazquez was Cortes’ superior, however, Cortes defied Velazquez when he set-out on an expedition to the Yucatan peninsula.

Velazquez was afraid Cortes would become more famous/wealthy

Question 3

Where does Cortes declare and Independent Government, and WHY?

Answer 3

On the coast of Mexico-La Villa Rica de la Veracruz.

To ensure he doesn’t have to obey Velazquez’s orders anymore

Question 4

How does Cortes ensure his soldiers will stay and fight with him?

Answer 4

He sends 1 ship back to Spain with gold, and burns the other 10 so no one is able to retreat

Question 5

What are the 3 MAIN weapons that gave the Spanish an advantage?

Answer 5

Guns, Cannons, Horses

Question 6

What role did disease play in the war between Cortes and the Aztecs?

Answer 6

Smallpox killed 40% of the Aztec population, leaving them vulnerable. Without Smallpox, Cortes would have likely lost the battle

Question 7

What was the Spanish’s military strategy against the Aztecs?

Answer 7

Become allies with as many neighbouring groups as possible to help fight Moctezuma

Question 8

Define: Intermediary

Answer 8

A person who translates information between languages

Question 9

Who was Cortes’ intermediary? How did he acquire her?

Answer 9

Malinche was a gift from a civilization Cortes conquered. She became a slave after her father died. She spoke multiple languages, and quickly learned Spanish

Question 10

Why was Malinche necessary for the Spanish?

Answer 10

1. Malinche warned Cortes about a possible attack

2. Malinche was able to translate discussion between Cortes and Moctezuma

Question 11

What was the Aztec’s battle strategy?

Answer 11

Moctezuma chose to sit-back and wait to see what the Spanish were going to do

Question 12

How did the battle for Tenochtitlan play-out in order?

Answer 12

1. Cortes and his men were taken to live in a palace
2. The Spanish placed Moctezuma under house arrest and looted gold, forcing Moctezuma to make himself a subject of Spanish rule
3. Cortes leaves Tenochtitlan to deal with Velazquez, who arrived to arrest him
4. Pedro de Alvarado was left in charge, and massacred Aztec people
5. When Cortes returned, he forced Moctezuma to speak to his people to calm them down
6. Moctezuma died from stones being thrown at him, OR from being strangled by the Spanish
7. The Aztecs attacked the Spanish and drove them out of Tenoctitlan

Question 13

How does Cortes finally conquer Tenochtitlan?

Answer 13

When he arrives 6 months later, Smallpox had killed many people.

The Spanish cut-off the aqueducts to the city, and after about 80 days, the Aztecs were defeated