The Spanish The Spanish Conquistadors Conquer Conquistadors Conquer

the Aztecsthe Aztecs

The ConquistadorsThe Conquistadors

ConquistadorsConquistadors were 15th were 15th century Spanish explorers and century Spanish explorers and conquerorsconquerors who sailed across who sailed across the uncharted oceans the uncharted oceans – desire to explore new worlds desire to explore new worlds – to gain political power to gain political power – to win fame and fortune to win fame and fortune

The price of conquest was highThe price of conquest was high– shipwreckshipwreck– diseasedisease– starvationstarvation– warfare warfare – deathdeath

The Conquistadors' mission The Conquistadors' mission was to: was to: – find goldfind gold– convert new souls to convert new souls to

ChristianityChristianity– claim new territories for the claim new territories for the

King and the glory of their King and the glory of their countrycountry

How Did They Get There?How Did They Get There?New TechnologiesNew Technologies The conquistadors needed to be able The conquistadors needed to be able

to steer their ships and find their way to steer their ships and find their way with very unreliable maps.with very unreliable maps.

– the the caravelcaravel was a lighter, faster ship was a lighter, faster ship than the ships that the Spanish had than the ships that the Spanish had used earlier; the first ocean-going ship used earlier; the first ocean-going ship able to sail into the wind without the able to sail into the wind without the use of oars.use of oars.

– used a used a magnetic compassmagnetic compass with a with a magnetized needle that always pointed magnetized needle that always pointed north. That and the North Star were north. That and the North Star were their main directional guides.their main directional guides.

They also needed to be able to They also needed to be able to measure the distance traveled in order measure the distance traveled in order to follow their course and get back to follow their course and get back home againhome again. .

– QuadrantsQuadrants were used to measure the were used to measure the angle between the horizon and the sun angle between the horizon and the sun or stars, to get the latitude position. or stars, to get the latitude position.

– The AstrolabeThe Astrolabe - -Another way to figure Another way to figure out latitude was to use an astrolabe to out latitude was to use an astrolabe to measure the height of the North Star or measure the height of the North Star or the noon sun.the noon sun.

– Dead Reckoning-Dead Reckoning-To figure out how far To figure out how far east or west a ship was from its home east or west a ship was from its home port, ship's captains calculated by "dead port, ship's captains calculated by "dead reckoning." They estimated and kept a reckoning." They estimated and kept a record of their direction (with the record of their direction (with the compass), time (measured by hourglass, compass), time (measured by hourglass, which 10-12 year old boys on ship had which 10-12 year old boys on ship had to turn every 30 minutes), and speed to turn every 30 minutes), and speed (which they mostly guessed(which they mostly guessed

Voyage to the UnknownVoyage to the Unknown

It seems impossible to us in It seems impossible to us in these days of space travel, these days of space travel, instant communications, and instant communications, and satellite mapping to think that satellite mapping to think that there was once a time when there was once a time when people in Europe had no idea people in Europe had no idea what most of the world was what most of the world was like or how to map it. like or how to map it.

Even once they had figured Even once they had figured out that the world was round, out that the world was round, they had no idea what lay they had no idea what lay beyond the Atlantic Ocean to beyond the Atlantic Ocean to the west, or how far the ocean the west, or how far the ocean even extended. even extended.

Only by setting off on Only by setting off on dangerous expeditions could dangerous expeditions could the conquistadors find out the conquistadors find out and expand their knowledge and expand their knowledge about the Unknown.about the Unknown.

Hernan CortesHernan Cortes Hernan CortesHernan Cortes was only seven years old was only seven years old

when Christopher Columbus first sighted the when Christopher Columbus first sighted the New World. New World. In 1506In 1506, at the age of 22, he , at the age of 22, he joined a force of soldiers and sailed to the joined a force of soldiers and sailed to the port city of Santo Domingo on the Spanish-port city of Santo Domingo on the Spanish-controlled island of Hispaniola, in the controlled island of Hispaniola, in the Caribbean Sea. Caribbean Sea. Cortes was given a grant of Cortes was given a grant of land with native Indians to serve him.land with native Indians to serve him. Although he would have preferred to go off to Although he would have preferred to go off to seek gold and adventure, Cortes was seek gold and adventure, Cortes was persuaded by the Spanish governor to settle persuaded by the Spanish governor to settle down and run his estate.down and run his estate.

He moved to Cuba in 1509 and in 1511 he He moved to Cuba in 1509 and in 1511 he agreed to help Diego Velazquez in the agreed to help Diego Velazquez in the Spanish conquest of CubaSpanish conquest of Cuba. In battles there, . In battles there, he proved to be a capable, brave soldier. In he proved to be a capable, brave soldier. In return, Governor Velazquez rewarded Cortes return, Governor Velazquez rewarded Cortes for his service by giving him an even larger for his service by giving him an even larger grant of land and more Indian slaves.grant of land and more Indian slaves.When news arrived about the Mayan When news arrived about the Mayan Civilization on the Yucatan peninsula and the Civilization on the Yucatan peninsula and the fact that explorers had found treasures of fact that explorers had found treasures of silver and gold there, the atmosphere in silver and gold there, the atmosphere in Cuba became more and more like a "Gold Cuba became more and more like a "Gold Rush." Rush." Governor Velazquez decided to send Governor Velazquez decided to send an expedition to Yucatan. On October 23, an expedition to Yucatan. On October 23, 1518 he chose Cortes as its commanding 1518 he chose Cortes as its commanding officer.officer.

The Cortes ExpeditionThe Cortes Expedition Cortes prepared for his expedition Cortes prepared for his expedition

by using his own money to buy by using his own money to buy muskets, ammunition, crossbows, muskets, ammunition, crossbows, navigational instruments and navigational instruments and supplies. supplies.

He pulled together an army of He pulled together an army of Spaniards, promising them gold, Spaniards, promising them gold, land, and Indian slaves. After all land, and Indian slaves. After all his money was gone, he borrowed his money was gone, he borrowed money from friends and money from friends and mortgaged his plantation.mortgaged his plantation.

Governor Velasquez became Governor Velasquez became concerned that Cortes' expedition concerned that Cortes' expedition was becoming larger than was was becoming larger than was originally planned. originally planned.

Velasquez decided to relieve Velasquez decided to relieve Cortes of his command, but Cortes of his command, but Cortes' brother-in-law killed the Cortes' brother-in-law killed the messenger carrying the messenger carrying the governor's orders.governor's orders.

HelpersHelpers On February 18, 1519 Cortes' On February 18, 1519 Cortes'

expedition set sail from Cuba. Smooth expedition set sail from Cuba. Smooth sailing brought them to Cozumel, an sailing brought them to Cozumel, an island off the coast of Yucatan. There, island off the coast of Yucatan. There, Cortes found Cortes found Geronimo de Aguilar, a Geronimo de Aguilar, a Spaniard who had been shipwrecked Spaniard who had been shipwrecked from a previous expedition. Aguilar from a previous expedition. Aguilar spoke the local Maya languagespoke the local Maya language and and joined the expedition.joined the expedition.

Cortes sailed along the coast of Cortes sailed along the coast of Yucatan and stopped Yucatan and stopped at a large native at a large native settlementsettlement by the Tabasco River. The by the Tabasco River. The native Mayas asked the expedition to native Mayas asked the expedition to leave, wanting "neither war nor trade." leave, wanting "neither war nor trade." After After a battle and an easy victory a battle and an easy victory because of Spanish weapons, Cortes because of Spanish weapons, Cortes was able to destroy the local idols.was able to destroy the local idols. The The leaders promised to obey Cortes and leaders promised to obey Cortes and brought him gifts of fruit, birds, brought him gifts of fruit, birds, ornaments made of gold, and 20 ornaments made of gold, and 20 women to cook tortillas and serve women to cook tortillas and serve them, including a woman named them, including a woman named Malintzin, who would become an Malintzin, who would become an important key in the conquest of the important key in the conquest of the AztecsAztecs..

The Two Worlds MeetThe Two Worlds Meet "A ball of stone comes out "A ball of stone comes out

shooting sparks and raining fire. It shooting sparks and raining fire. It makes smoke that smells of makes smoke that smells of rotten mud. When the ball of rotten mud. When the ball of stone hits a tree, the trunk splits stone hits a tree, the trunk splits into splinters, as if it has exploded into splinters, as if it has exploded from the inside. They cover their from the inside. They cover their heads and bodies with metal. heads and bodies with metal. Their swords are metal, their Their swords are metal, their bows are metal, their shields and bows are metal, their shields and spears are metal. Their deer carry spears are metal. Their deer carry them on their backs, making them them on their backs, making them as tall as the roof of a house…We as tall as the roof of a house…We are powerless against him. We are powerless against him. We are nothing compared to these are nothing compared to these strangers." – Anonymous Aztec strangers." – Anonymous Aztec Eyewitness   Eyewitness   

Cortes and his expedition set off Cortes and his expedition set off to meet Montezuma. The to meet Montezuma. The expedition marched over 400 expedition marched over 400 miles inlandmiles inland. They scaled two . They scaled two mountain ranges and crossed a mountain ranges and crossed a plain with stagnant water. plain with stagnant water. Constantly threatened by native Constantly threatened by native people who vowed to kill them people who vowed to kill them and eat their flesh with chili and eat their flesh with chili peppers, the Spanish soldiers peppers, the Spanish soldiers begged Cortes to turn back.begged Cortes to turn back.

Early VictoriesEarly Victories Cortes' expedition Cortes' expedition

entered the Tlaxcalan entered the Tlaxcalan region. region. Over 50,000 Over 50,000 Tlaxcalans fought the Tlaxcalans fought the 400 Spaniards and were 400 Spaniards and were defeated as a result of defeated as a result of the superior Spanish the superior Spanish weapons and horsesweapons and horses. . Cortes rewarded the Cortes rewarded the Tlaxcalans, who offered Tlaxcalans, who offered to provide Cortes with to provide Cortes with 10,000 warriors for his 10,000 warriors for his march on Tenochtitlan.march on Tenochtitlan.

The First Occupation of The First Occupation of TenochtitlanTenochtitlan

The Spanish entered the city of Tenochtitlan to The Spanish entered the city of Tenochtitlan to meet Montezumameet Montezuma. Coincidentally.Montezuma . Coincidentally.Montezuma greeted the Spanish with an elaborate greeted the Spanish with an elaborate ceremony and thousands of attendants. "This is ceremony and thousands of attendants. "This is what our kings and those who ruled this city told what our kings and those who ruled this city told us: that you would come to assume your rightful us: that you would come to assume your rightful place. Welcome to your kingdom, lords!" place. Welcome to your kingdom, lords!" Montezuma said on first meeting Cortes.Montezuma said on first meeting Cortes.

The Aztecs housed the Spanish in a wondrous The Aztecs housed the Spanish in a wondrous palace. palace. When Montezuma asked Cortes what it When Montezuma asked Cortes what it would take to make the Spanish leave his would take to make the Spanish leave his empire, Cortes replied, "We Spanish suffer from empire, Cortes replied, "We Spanish suffer from a disease of the heart, which can be cured only a disease of the heart, which can be cured only by gold."by gold." Cortes decided to take Montezuma Cortes decided to take Montezuma hostagehostage, falsely claiming that the emperor had , falsely claiming that the emperor had ordered an attack on his forces on the coast. ordered an attack on his forces on the coast. 

When Governor Velazquez of Cuba realized that When Governor Velazquez of Cuba realized that Cortes was no longer following his orders, he Cortes was no longer following his orders, he sent a large army to arrest himsent a large army to arrest him. Cortes took 100 . Cortes took 100 of his men and returned to the coast, where of his men and returned to the coast, where he he easily defeated Velazquez's army, ensuring his easily defeated Velazquez's army, ensuring his free reign in Mexico.free reign in Mexico.

Back in Tenochtitlan, Cortes' captain, Pedro de Back in Tenochtitlan, Cortes' captain, Pedro de Alvarado, gave permission for the Aztecs to Alvarado, gave permission for the Aztecs to celebrate a festival. As the unarmed celebrate a festival. As the unarmed worshippers danced and sang, the Spaniards worshippers danced and sang, the Spaniards suddenly attacked the Aztecs. Alvarado later suddenly attacked the Aztecs. Alvarado later explained the attack by stating that he thought explained the attack by stating that he thought the Aztecs were going to try to free Montezuma.the Aztecs were going to try to free Montezuma.

The Aztecs Fight BackThe Aztecs Fight Back

The Aztecs quickly cut off supplies of The Aztecs quickly cut off supplies of food from the Spanish and attacked food from the Spanish and attacked the palace where they were holding the palace where they were holding MontezumaMontezuma. When Cortes received . When Cortes received news that the Aztecs had attacked and news that the Aztecs had attacked and imprisoned his soldiers, he returned imprisoned his soldiers, he returned from the coast to Tenochtitlan. from the coast to Tenochtitlan.

In a desperate move, the Spanish and In a desperate move, the Spanish and their Tlaxcalan allies decided to take their Tlaxcalan allies decided to take advantage of a dark, rainy night to advantage of a dark, rainy night to escapeescape from Tenochtitlan. Cortes from Tenochtitlan. Cortes loaded seven horses and 80 Tlaxcalan loaded seven horses and 80 Tlaxcalan porters with gold from the treasure porters with gold from the treasure house and gave the rest of the heavy house and gave the rest of the heavy gold to his soldiers. gold to his soldiers.

A woman getting water from the lake A woman getting water from the lake spotted the escaping Spaniards and spotted the escaping Spaniards and the the Aztecs quickly launched a surprise Aztecs quickly launched a surprise attackattack. To prevent the Spaniards from . To prevent the Spaniards from escaping, the Aztecs removed the escaping, the Aztecs removed the drawbridges on the causeway, but drawbridges on the causeway, but Cortes' carpenters had built portable Cortes' carpenters had built portable bridges bridges

Cortes' Return to Cortes' Return to TenochtitlanTenochtitlan

Cortes retreated to Tlaxcala, Cortes retreated to Tlaxcala, where he gained new troops and where he gained new troops and suppliessupplies from Cuba, from Cuba, trained new trained new Tlaxcalan allies, and planned an Tlaxcalan allies, and planned an attack by water on Tenochtitlanattack by water on Tenochtitlan. . Cortes gained control of the towns Cortes gained control of the towns around the lakeshore. After around the lakeshore. After Christmas 1520, Cortes led an Christmas 1520, Cortes led an army of 16,000 men back to army of 16,000 men back to TenochtitlanTenochtitlan..

The Aztecs, under their new The Aztecs, under their new leader Cuauhtemoc, were ready leader Cuauhtemoc, were ready and had built barricades of rubble and had built barricades of rubble and removed the bridges in the and removed the bridges in the causeways. They had also put causeways. They had also put sharpened stakes underwater in sharpened stakes underwater in the canalsthe canals. As the Aztecs . As the Aztecs prepared for war, prepared for war, smallpox smallpox continued to devastate the native continued to devastate the native population of Tenochtitlanpopulation of Tenochtitlan.  .  

The Final BattleThe Final Battle Cortes attacked Tenochtitlan from Cortes attacked Tenochtitlan from

three directions at once with 13 new three directions at once with 13 new ships. The Aztecs had more than ships. The Aztecs had more than 200,000 canoes. It took Cortes three 200,000 canoes. It took Cortes three months to reach the sacred center of months to reach the sacred center of TenochtitlanTenochtitlan. .

– The fighting was so fierce that the lake The fighting was so fierce that the lake water turned red with blood. Aztec water turned red with blood. Aztec soldiers sacrificed Spanish soldiers and soldiers sacrificed Spanish soldiers and rolled their heads along the causeways. rolled their heads along the causeways. The Spanish could not move "without The Spanish could not move "without treading on the bodies and heads of treading on the bodies and heads of dead Indians.“dead Indians.“

In the final all-out attack on the center In the final all-out attack on the center of the city, 15,000 Aztecs died that of the city, 15,000 Aztecs died that day alone.day alone. Emperor Cuauhtemoc and Emperor Cuauhtemoc and his last few supporters tried to escape his last few supporters tried to escape in a canoe, but were captured by the in a canoe, but were captured by the Spaniards. The siege of Tenochtitlan Spaniards. The siege of Tenochtitlan was over. was over. In the Aztec calendar, this In the Aztec calendar, this was the first day of the Great Feast of was the first day of the Great Feast of the Dead, a month of traditional the Dead, a month of traditional lamentation and remembrance.lamentation and remembrance.