The Conquest of Mexico was the fatal result of the meeting of two worlds. The Spanish
conquest was shaped both by military, but also by language, diplomacy, and laws of Spain
and the Triple Alliance. In this video we will look at how Hernán Cortés started the
conquest of Mexico.
Moctezuma had been tlatoani of the Aztec Empire since 1502. Under his rule the Empire had
reached never before seen heights and its borders reached their greatest extent. His
people were made rich by the taxes and tribute flowing in from across the empire.
When reports began to slowly trickle in of strange encounters on the coast with pale
skinned men they seemed innocuous. Moctuzema’s capital was already filled with foreigners
and the air at the great market of Tlatelolco buzzed with a cacophony of different languages.
Meanwhile in Cuba event were ramping up. After 2 disastrous expeditions, Governor Diego Velázquez,
was planning a third, hoping that riches could be found in the nearby landmass. Hernando
Cortés was appointed the “Caudillo” of the upcoming expedition and tasked with “exploration
and modest trade”. However, soon Velázquez lost his trust in Cortés and another Caudillo
was appointed. Soon this captain was murdered, while Cortés hastily left the island for
the Yucatan on the 18th of February 1519. He had 530 Europeans soldiers, among them
30 crossbowmen, 2 arquebusemen, 2 conquistadoras, and also a few hundred Cuban natives and African
slaves. Most importantly 16 horses were also taken along with war dogs, usually Irish wolfhounds
and mastiffs. Cortés also had several cannons. Cortés won his first victory in Maya territory,
but it was linguistic in nature, as he discovered a castaway Spanish priest, Gerónimo de Aguilar,
who learned one of the Maya languages. After moving on from Cozumel and landing at Potonchan,
Cortés defeated the local Maya in a battle and he was given some women by them. One of
them spoke both Maya and the Mexica language. Dubbed La Malinche she translated Mexica into
Maya, which was then translated by Gerónimo de Aguilar into Spanish. Many things were
lost in translation, but for the first-time diplomacy between the natives and Spaniards
was possible. Language would become just as important as horse or cannon in this conflict.
With translators by his side and tales of a gold rich empire further North, Cortés
moved further up the coast and landed in modern day Vera Cruz. Over the next few days Moctezuma’s
diplomats arrived. Golden gifts were poured upon the conquistadors, sleeping quarters
were built and servants were made available for them.
As both of these representatives of two great empires mingled and gawked at each on the
beach, one of the most dangerous questions in history was asked. Cortés said to the
Mexica ambassador, “Does Moctezuma possess much gold?”. The response was “Yes”.
Moctezuma was in the House of Serpents, a part of his Zoo when the messengers arrived.
These were the same men reported over the years. They rode bizarre looking deer and
had sticks that created lighting along with beasts that launched rocks from their bellies
that could destroy hillsides. Moctezuma the all-powerful god emperor, who was famously
decisive, was unsure of how to proceed. Should he kill these foreigners immediately? This
would violate all Mexica diplomatic customs. Could he use them for his own gain then? What
exactly were their motives and could they threaten the stability of his empire?
The emperor’s brother Cuitláhuac along with his cousin Cuauhtémoc continuously pushed
the idea that these were raiders, who shouldn’t be trusted. Cuitláhuac advised Moctezuma
“not to allow into your house someone who will put you out of it”.
Meanwhile, Cortés was discussing Moctezume, with the local Totonac chief, who informed
the conquistadors that his people had to pay yearly tribute to the Mexica This chief informed
Cortés of others that disliked Moctezuma: Lords who felt passed over for rulership in
Texcoco, vassals unhappily paying tribute and especially the Tlaxcala, would all join
his side if he chose to march on Tenochtitlan. This promise changed everything for Cortés.
Until now his highest goal would have been to win some land and to extract as much gold
as possible. Now the opportunity to take an empire for himself was within reach. However,
Cortés he had another issue to resolve. Since his departure from Cuba, he had been acting
illegally. Not only had he left after being replaced, his orders to explore and trade
had obviously been completed at this point. In order to circumnavigate the legality of
his actions Cortés and his men founded a town - Villa Rica de La Vera Cruz. A town
council was quickly appointed and Cortés ‘presented’ himself before them. It was
decided that Cortés’ mission had been completed and he stepped down as Caudillo. Immediately
the council nominated Cortés as captain of His Majesty’s armies until instructions
would state otherwise. This was an obvious misuse of the law but if Cortés could conquer
Mexico quickly then it would surely be accepted by the King.
With his translators and native allies, Cortez set out towards Tenochtitlan. The expedition
soon entered Tlaxcala territory. The first encounters were violent. Constantly harassed
by Tlaxcala and Otomí warriors the conquistadors suffered their worst losses up until then.
A number of invaluable horses were killed and many Spaniards were wounded. They were
overwhelmed by the Tlascala numbers, but these numbers also allowed the horses and cannon
to smash through the tightly packed armies and thousands were killed. However, the Spaniards
suffered some casualties in each battle and that was untenable for the conquistadors.
They couldn’t defeat the Tlaxcala outright and couldn’t continue taking small casualties.
The Tlaxcala had been in a perpetual state of war with the Empire and soon concluded
that these powerful foreigners were more useful to them alive than dead. No one had more motive
to topple the Aztec Empire. On the 23 September 1519, Cortés enter Tlaxcala
city and an alliance was secured, Cortés now determined set off towards the Tenochtitlan
with an army that was less than 5% Spanish. While Cortés moved his massive multiethnic
army through Tlaxcala territory, Moctezuma’s emissaries Moctezuma continued to visit him,
bringing gifts, and warning him that the Tlaxcala could not be trusted.
Cortés ignoring that continued to march towards Mexica allied city of Cholula home to the
largest pyramid structure on Earth and an extremely important pilgrimage site in the
Mesoamerican world. The lords of Cholula welcomed them, however, the Spaniards suspected a conspiracy,
planned either by the lords of Cholula or Moctezuma.
Cortés asked them to meet him at the temple of Quetzalcoatl. They poured into the courtyard
after which the doors were closed by the conquistadors. Cortés demanded to know why the lords had
planned to kill him and his men and decreed that by the laws of Spain treason such as
this must be punished. A harquebus was fired as a signal and the
conquistadors began to cut down the lords. The killing continued in the streets. By the
end of the 2-day sacking, the city was in flames and three thousand lay dead. Prisoners
were sent off to Tlaxcala for sacrifice and Cortés and his army again set off.
On the 8th of November 1519 the Spanish and their native allies marched down the main
causeway to Tenochtitlan. Crossbowmen, gunmen, horses, and war-painted natives streamed up
the wooden causeway in a tight formation. Despite all that had occurred, Moctezuma agreed
to meet Cortés on the causeway. The Mexica tradition of hospitality could not be broken.
On that causeway, an emperor and a conquistador met and the history of our world changed forever.
The Spaniards were given lodgings in a palace that once belonged to Moctezuma’s father.
Over the next few days they toured the city which awed the Spaniards. However, soon they
noticed their precarious position and became restless - the Mexica could easily kill them
all in their sleep or cut off any retreat by removing the wooden bridges. The Tlaxcala’s
distrust only worried the conquistadors more. Soon Cortés found his men in a near panic
and wanting to leave. In order to restore faith in the mission a decision had to be
made. Cortés and Moctezuma met on the 14th of November
for one of their regular discussions. They had become accustomed to speaking to each
other about their respective empires and religions. With him Cortés brought about 30 armed men,
as well as his interpreters. Soon Cortés accused Moctezuma of treason.
He said that he was willing to forgive, Moctezuma if he accompanied the Spaniards to their lodgings.
If he made a noise however, his captains may kill him.
Thus, Moctezuma traveled across Tenochtitlan on a litter carried by his noblemen, several
of whom asked if they should fight the Spaniards, but were ordered not to, and started ruling
his empire as a prisoner. Curiosity of Mexica turned to resentment and for the first time
they were questioning the actions of their Emperor.
Meanwhile, Cortés got the news that a Spanish ship had been spotted near Vera Cruz. Pánfilo
de Narváez had been sent by Velázquez to kill or capture Cortés. Leaving his "least
reliable soldiers" under the command of Pedro de Alvarado to guard Moctezuma, Cortés set
out against De Narváez. He brought La Malinche with him which left
the Spanish in Tenochtitlan without a translator. The mood in the streets and squares near the
Spanish quarters was volatile - the Mexica no longer considered the Spaniards to be guests.
The tensions came to a head during the celebration of the Feast of Toxcatl.
In the leading up to the feast it seems Alvarado grew more and more paranoid. He captured and
tortured citizens to learn about what was going on. The forced answers and bad translations
only proved more to him that the people were planning a revolt. The fear of being attacked
and sacrificed could no longer be contained. Alvarado decided to strike first.
The day of the festival arrived. Priests made offerings, the music of drums and flutes filled
the air, feathered dancers put on magnificent shows, while onlookers watched and prayed.
Alvarado and his troops entered the temple grounds wearing armour. Little attention was
paid to them. Conquistadors slowly moved into strategic locations around the festival goers
while others blocked the exits. Alvarado shouted “LET THEM DIE!” and swords were drawn.
Soon 3 thousand people lay dead in the temple and the killing continued in the streets.
Most of the Aztec nobility lay dead. Only Moctezuma and a lucky few survived. Madness
took the city as the Mexica organized a counter-attack. Things settled down only after Alvarado forced
Moctezuma to address his people and beg them to stop. The Spaniards hid in their quarters
as the city mourned. Meanwhile, Cortés had won his battle at the
coast and absorbed most of enemy soldiers into his own army. As he entered Tenochtitlan
the city was completely silent. Cortés met with Alvarado in their quarters and heard
about what had transpired. The Spanish in the city soon found themselves
attacked whenever they ventured into the streets. Cortés was surrounded and besieged. The people
had rallied behind Moctezuma’s brother, Cuitláhuac, who planned the resistance for
some time now… Join us on Sunday for the bloody conclusion
in this series - The Siege of Tenochtitlan. Make sure you are subscribed to our channel
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