Spanish Influence On The Aztecs
Have you ever wondered the methods in history, to wipe out a powerful empire? Hernan Cortes, the Spanish conquistador conquered the Aztec Empire and claimed Mexico for Spain, in the 16th century. The Aztecs were a Nahuatl speaking nation of central Mexico, in MesoAmerica. They were very powerful and wealthy in natural goods, in addition to creating their own weapons and techniques. When Hernan Cortes came to the land of the heart of the Aztecs, he had brought unknown weapons and diseases to the Aztecs, as well as an army of men. He also had a spy/translator to help communicate between the 2 nations, but most importantly, Cortes killed the Aztec emperor, and destroyed their religious temples! These acts influenced the power of the Aztecs
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Even though the Aztecs were cunning, swift, and agile, the Spanish had the advantage to the skill and armour. If compared, the Conquistador's weapons would have been more useful and powerful to use. Not only because of the fact that the Spanish weapons were more light and could be dealt with one hand, but also that some of them could be effective from far away. In addition, the Aztecs, fighting on foot, could not compete with the Spanish, who were riding horses. As the Aztecs, had never seen horses in their lives, misunderstandings could arise from their power, speed, and size, as well as being kicked if gotten too close to the rear. Another reason why Cortes is responsible for the fall of the Aztec Empire, was disease. The Aztecs had never encountered a disease, vulnerable to their bodies for a long period of time. Smallpox, brought by the Spanish, had a lasting outcome for many years. Finding no cure, being too sick to gulp the nourishments to their bodies, and being too weak and frail to help their fellows, it was no surprise that many Aztecs had died. It can be told by an Aztec survivor and witness, in Contact and Change Pg 227, “The sick were so utterly helpless that they could only lie on their beds like corpses, unable to move their limbs or even their heads. They could not lie face down or roll from one side to the other. If they did move their bodies they screamed in pain. A great many died from this plague, and many others died of hunger. They could not get up to search for food, and everyone else was too sick to care for them, so they starved to death in their
Even though the Aztecs were cunning, swift, and agile, the Spanish had the advantage to the skill and armour. If compared, the Conquistador's weapons would have been more useful and powerful to use. Not only because of the fact that the Spanish weapons were more light and could be dealt with one hand, but also that some of them could be effective from far away. In addition, the Aztecs, fighting on foot, could not compete with the Spanish, who were riding horses. As the Aztecs, had never seen horses in their lives, misunderstandings could arise from their power, speed, and size, as well as being kicked if gotten too close to the rear. Another reason why Cortes is responsible for the fall of the Aztec Empire, was disease. The Aztecs had never encountered a disease, vulnerable to their bodies for a long period of time. Smallpox, brought by the Spanish, had a lasting outcome for many years. Finding no cure, being too sick to gulp the nourishments to their bodies, and being too weak and frail to help their fellows, it was no surprise that many Aztecs had died. It can be told by an Aztec survivor and witness, in Contact and Change Pg 227, “The sick were so utterly helpless that they could only lie on their beds like corpses, unable to move their limbs or even their heads. They could not lie face down or roll from one side to the other. If they did move their bodies they screamed in pain. A great many died from this plague, and many others died of hunger. They could not get up to search for food, and everyone else was too sick to care for them, so they starved to death in their