Hernan Cortes

Question 1

Mission to Mexico

Answer 1

• Born in 1485, he sailed to Hispaniola in 1504 where he became fo colonist
• In 1506, he took part in conquest of Hispaniola and Cuba
• Rewarded estate of land and Indian slaves
• In 1511, he accompanied Velazquez in an expedition to Cuba and after enquiring the island Velazquez was appointed governor with Cortes
• Cprtes extended his power and influence and attracted support from many in the colony
• In 1518, Cortes was appointed by Velazquez as elder of expedition to Mainland
• His ability to oranges an expedition quickly and efficiently annoyed Velazquez
• This caused an increase in tension
• 1518, Velazquez revoked Cortes’ leadership to the mainland, but a year later cortes ignored and set sail
• An expedition of 11 ships and 500 men landed on the Yucatan Peninsula
• This journey transformed Spain’s relationship with the new world
• The Yucatan peninsula was in Mayan territory, but it was claimed for Spain

Question 2

La Malinche

Answer 2

• During the conquest, a figure (La Malinche) assumed importance
• Captured during a battle with the natives, she became Cortes’ mistress and mother to his son
• Her ability to speak Nahuatl and Chantal Maya meant that Cortes was able to communicate with the Aztecs
• Cortes arranged a meeting with Montezuma II

Question 3

Montezuma II

Answer 3

• Unsure of how to deal with uninvited strangers
• Believed that Cortes was the God Quetzalcoatl returning to reclaim his kingdom
• Sent cautious but friendly messaged to Cortes
• Sent gifts such as gold and silver to dissuade him from entering Tenochtitlan, but this made the Spanish more greedy
• Cortes sent a ship bearing gifts black the the King of Spain
• She perceived Montezuma as weak and victim of his region, but others saw him as a strong ruler

Question 4

Alliances and the massacre at Cholula

Answer 4

• Cortes and 600 men marched to Tenochtitlan in august 1519
• The Tlaxcalans were part of the Nahuas people who occupied the region and were enemies of the Aztecs
• The Tlaxcalans surrounded the Spanish forces
• But were defeated, showing the Spanish strength and advising Montezuma to prepare a military strategy to combat the Spanish
• Spanish persuaded the Tlaxcalans to join the in an alliance and made friends with cortes
• Spanish also made an alliance aut the Totonacs who had rebelled against the Aztecs previously

Question 5

SPANISH FORCES VS INDIAN FORCES

Answer 5

Spanish

• used muskets, cross bowmen, cannon and cavalry
• had better tactics and weapons
• disciplined
• spanish wanted to protect each other and kill the enemy

Indian

• had darts, arrows and slingshots
• they liked individual duals in battle
• captured enemy alive for sacrifice

Question 6

Massacre at cholula

Answer 6

• The Cholulans were allies of the aztec’s
• Encouraged Spanish to go as part of their plan to entrap them
• Weapons stored on rooftops and diction traps with stakes were dug
• Holy city
• Increase in tension and the Spanish were treated well upon arrival
• Warnings from La Malinche and Tlaxcalans of the plan
• Cortes found put and summoned 500-600 Cholula leaders and killed them with his forces
• 1000s died

Question 7

Significance of massacre

Answer 7

• Brute force of Spanish
• Other cities gave in and went with the Spanish alliances
• Montezuma had to peacefully accept Cortes into Tenochtitlan
• Shock waves sent throughout the Aztec empire