Spanish Conquest Of Mexico Analysis

The beginning of 1519--the year known as Ce Acatl to the Aztec-- marked the introduction of a short but decisive episode in the history of Mexico. On the day of April 21, a fleet of almost a dozen Spanish galleons dropped anchor just off the coast of the island, San Juan de Ulúa. Under the command of the then ‘heroic’, Hernán Cortés, the vessels bore over five-hundred Spanish soldiers and sailors, as well as approximately sixteen horses, the first of the species to tread the American continent. The natives did not know it at this point, but this momentous event would forever change the destiny of their continent.
The exploration party debarked to set camp and were promptly greeted by a friendly reception from the Totonac Indians, during which gifts and greetings were exchanged. Over the course of several days, …show more content…
He took Moctezuma captive, holding him in the Spaniards quarters (Hassig). This strange state of matters continued for almost eight months until news came that Spanish troops sent by the Governor of Cuba, Velázquez, had arrived on the coast to seize Cortés. Leaving a stronghold in control of the Aztec capital, Cortés marched back eastward with a band of his finest soldiers (Hassig). He soundly conquered his intended abductors in battle at Cempoala, and was soon headed back to Tenochtitlán with the newcomers in hand. In his absence, the garrison 's commander ordered an attack on the Aztecs city in the midst of a religious celebration. Brought to the point of blood-rage by the vicious slaughter, the native populace rebelled. Upon his return, Cortés tried to suppress the conflict by urging Moctezuma to mount the roof of Atzayacatl 's palace and petition to his people for reconciliation. Their response was to shower their emperor with stones, arrows, and jeers- inflicting mental and physical injury that soon resulted in his