Social Studies 8: Unit 2
Chapter 10: A Deadly Meeting
The Meeting
In 1519, Cortés and his crew met with the
Aztecs for the first time.
 The Aztecs had been investigating reports
of “mysterious strangers in nearby
territories. . . Men in odd clothing and
sailing boats as big as mountains.”
 In the end, Moctezuma sent a small group
of Aztecs to greet the strangers and to
give them gifts—why do you think they
did this?

Cortés, the Conquistador
Hernán Cortés grew up in Spain during a
period of great change.
 The defeat of the Muslims and the
Inquisition had produced political and
religious unity in Spain.
 Cortés believed that these changes made
Spain a better place in which to live.

Cortés, the Conquistador
Cortés liked adventure and was ambitious.
He decided to go to the “New World” in
search of gold and glory.
 He represented the Spanish worldview in
his desire to explore the “New World”,
which led to his meeting and eventually
conquering the Aztec peoples.

Tenochtitlan—A Strategic Position
Look at the map on page 217 and locate
Tenochtitlan.
 Tenochtitlan had a good strategic
position.
 It was centrally located in Mexico, it
wasn’t far from the coast of the Gulf of
Mexico (where the Caribbean Islands were
located), and it was close to the
settlement of Veracruz. All these
factors made it a desirable site for
the Spanish to conquer.

The Caribbean
Cortés believed that the Caribbean would
be a good place to make his fortune, as
he had heard that gold was plentiful there.
 When he arrived on the island of
Hispaniola in 1504, the governor gave him
a large farm.
 He was unhappy with the offer, as he
“came to get gold, not to till the land like
a peasant.”
 Cortés would not be satisfied until he had
found his gold…and his glory.

Conquering Areas
Later, Cortés was asked to join an
expedition to conquer Cuba, an island just
west of Hispaniola.
 Cortés eagerly accepted. With just 300
men, the Spanish conquered Cuba using
their Conquistadors’ Formula. This
formula was the reason behind the
Conquistadors’ success.

The Conquistadors’ Formula
A. An expedition would set out from a
recent colony.
 B. After landing in a new region, the
Spanish would try to meet peacefully with
the first groups of Indigenous (First
Nations) people they encountered. This
was to see which group in the area was
most powerful.

The Conquistadors’ Formula
C. The Spanish would invite the leader of
that powerful group to a meeting to
exchange gifts. Then the Spanish would
seize the leader and threaten to kill him
unless his followers obeyed his orders.
 D. If they did have to fight, the Spanish
would try to do so on open ground. Their
horses, armour, and weapons gave them a
huge advantage.

The Conquistadors’ Formula

E. The leader of the expedition would
remain as governor of the new colony, and
his second-in-command would organize
the next expedition. The Indigenous
peoples would be forced into slavery.
Heroes

Read the story of Roméo Dallaire on page
218. Why is he described as a hero?
What do you think makes a hero?
Images of Cortés

Look at the two images of Cortés on page
219. How is he portrayed in the paintings
and why do you think he is portrayed that
way?
By Christoph Weiditz (1529)
By Diego Rivera (1951)
Cause and Effect
A cause is an incident or series of
incidents that lead to something else.
 An effect is the result or consequence of
one or more causes.

Cause and Effect:
Cortés and the Aztecs
CAUSE:
A desire for gold and
glory.
Wanting to build the
Spanish empire.
Spreading Christianity
(Can you think of more?)
EFFECT
Leaving homeland in
search of new areas to
conquer.
Risking lives in conflicts
(people die).
Fighting deadly wars
(destroying civilizations)
(Can you think of more?)
Cortés grows Restless
Cortés remained in Cuba, second in
command to Governor Velázquez.
 After 8 years, he grew restless again. He
wanted to learn more about the Yucatan
Peninsula, a large landmass to the west of
Cuba.
 Velázquez sent out two expeditions to this
area, which brought back reports that
caused great excitement.

Cortés grows Restless
It seemed that there was a civilization in
this new land that was stronger, more
advanced, and wealthier than any group
of people the Spanish had yet
encountered.
 This was the opportunity Cortés had
been waiting for—a chance to
conquer a strong, advanced, and
wealthy society and to gain from
their wealth.

Cortés’ New Expedition
Cortés got Velázquez to help finance an
expedition to the Yucatan.
 Cortés scoured Cuba for experienced
soldiers and used loans to buy ships.
 In a few months, he had 11 ships, 508
soldiers, 100 sailors, 200 Indigenous
slaves, and 16 horses for the expedition.

Cortés’ New Expedition
Before leaving the harbour in Cuba, Cortés
stood on a packing crate and made a
speech to his forces.
 In his speech, he indicated his main
reasons for the expedition:

– Taking vast and wealthy lands.
– Waging war on the people there.
– Gaining fame, glory, and wealth from their
deeds.
Velázquez Grows Suspicious
However, just as Cortés was setting sail,
Velázquez arrived and tried to cancel the
expedition!
 He was worried that Cortés would get all
the glory for his discoveries and not
recognize his authority over the new lands
Cortés might conquer.
 Cortés ignored the governor and
continued on his way.

Cortés Arrives in Mexico
It turns out that Velázquez was right to be
concerned.
 Before going inland to the Aztec Empire,
Cortés established a town (Veracruz) on
the coast of Mexico and declared an
independent government.
 This meant that he was now responsible
to King Carlos I, not Velázquez.

Cortés Arrives in Mexico
Cortés sent one ship to Spain with all the
treasure he had collected so far, and then
sank the other ten ships!
 This action made it impossible for any
soldiers loyal to Velázquez to defect from
this expedition and to return to Cuba.
They were forced to continue with Cortés
to find the Aztecs.

An Unequal Fight

Both the Spanish and the Aztecs had
powerful tools of war, but they weren’t
evenly matched.
An Unequal Fight
War Club (Aztecs)
 A war club could cut like
a knife, but shattered
against armour.
 Designed for swinging
and chopping, but was
so heavy that a soldier
had to use two hands to
hold it.

Sword (Spanish)
 Steel swords were
double-edged, needle
pointed, and sharp as a
razor. 1 metre long.
 A fighter could both
slash and stab at enemy
with deadly effect.
 Lightweight, so could be
held only in one hand—
other hand free to carry
shield or hold reins of

An Unequal Fight
An Unequal Fight
Wooden Spear
(Aztec)
 Spear ends were
sharpened wood
hardened in fire.
 Aztecs would try to
get in close to enemy
and thrust the spears
at unprotected areas,
such as eyes and
throat.

Halberd (Spanish)
 A halberd was over
two metres long and
had a spear blade, an
axe point, and a
hook.

An Unequal Fight
An Unequal Fight
Atlatl (Aztecs)
 A piece of jointed wood
that allowed an Aztec
soldier to throw a short
spear great distances,
with much more force
than using his arm
alone.
 Aztecs also had bows
and arrows, and slings.

Crossbow (Spanish)
 A crossbow could shoot
a wooden arrow with
such force that it could
penetrate (go through)
even the thickest
armour.

An Unequal Fight
Muskets and Cannons
The Spanish also brought with them some
other kinds of weapon that took the
Aztecs completely by surprise: muskets
and cannons.
 Muskets were long, rifle-like guns that
were fired by the shoulder.
 These firearms were common in Europe,
but completely unknown in Mexico.

Muskets and Cannons

When the Aztecs first
heard the muskets
and cannons go off,
they thought it was
thunder and lightning!
Displays of Power
After he got news of the Spanish landing,
Moctezuma sent ambassadors to their camp
to find out what they wanted.
 Cortés ordered his men to fire their weapons
before the ambassadors left.
 They showed off their weapons in order to
show their dominance in weaponry and
technology, and to send a message to
Moctezuma that a powerful group had
landed. Cortés hoped to gain an early
advantage through showing off his weapons.

Displays of Power
Read the “Voices” section on page 225 labeled
“Nuclear Weapons.” By using superior
technology in a war, one side can win quickly
over the other side. Also, the winning side gets
to keep or spread its beliefs and values—in other
words, its worldview.

How does this explain why one side in a war
might be willing to use powerful or devastating
weapons? What do you think?

The Horse as a Weapon
The third military advantage the Spanish
had over the Aztecs was the horses they
brought with them.
 Because the Aztecs and other Indigenous
peoples had never seen horses, Cortés
was able to use the animals to his
advantage.
 The horses’ size, power, and speed
fascinated the Aztecs.

The Horse as a Weapon
As well, the Spanish
were such welltrained riders that
they could hold the
reins with one hand
and attack an enemy
with a weapon using
the other hand.
 The Aztecs, on foot,
could not compete.

The Role of Disease
In the conflict between the Aztecs and the
Spanish, disease gave the Spanish an
advantage.
 At a critical point in the conflict, a
smallpox epidemic broke out in
Tenochtitlan, killing large numbers of
Aztecs and weakening their ability to resist
the Spanish assault.

The Role of Disease
Though no one knows for sure, it is
thought that a Spanish slave brought
smallpox to Mexico.
 The Aztecs were so affected by smallpox
because they had never been exposed to
the disease before, and therefore had no
immunity to it.
 As so many Aztecs fell victim to the
disease, it cleared the way toward Spanish
domination of the Aztec people.

The Aztec Smallpox Epidemic
Pandemics Today

Read the “Fast Forward” on page 228 to
learn about pandemic awareness in our
modern world.
The Aztecs and The Spanish:
Similarities
The two groups had a LOT in common:
 Both were warlike groups.
 Both were focused on trading and
mercantile.
 Both were avaricious (greedy), and quick
to resort to force to get what they wanted.
 Both believed they had a divine mission to
rule the world!

Cortés’ Strategy
We have learned that the Aztecs focused
on dominating and conquering other
groups in the area.
 They forced the conquered groups to pay
tribute (money and goods).
 The Aztecs also engaged in “flower wars”
with their neighbours, which were ritual
battles aimed at getting victims for
sacrifice.

Cortés’ Strategy
After establishing his colony on the coast,
Cortés knew he needed to either conquer
or befriend the Aztecs’ neighbours.
 Cortés knew that he could use the Aztecs’
neighbours (and their negative feelings
toward the Aztecs) to his advantage.
They would help him to conquer the
Aztecs.

Malinche
When Cortés’ group defeated the
Tabascan people, Cortés was given food,
clothing, gold, and slaves.
 One slave was a young woman named
Malinche. She was originally from a noble
family, and sold into slavery when her
father died.
 She would give Cortés the key he needed
to overcome the Aztecs.

Malinche
Malinche acted as an intermediary (a link
between Cortés and Moctezuma).
 She could speak Nahuatl, the language of
the Aztec people. In a short time, she
learned to speak Spanish and converted to
Christianity.
 She became Cortés’ advisor and spy,
and without her help, he would not
have succeeded against the Aztecs.

The March to Tenochtitlan
Cortés continued on his march to
Tenochtitlan. Each group he met viewed
the arrival of the Spanish differently, so
Cortés was forced to constantly adapt his
strategy.
 See the map on page 230 for Cortés’ route
to Tenochtitlan.

The Totonacs
These people invited Cortés to their capital
city, Zempoala.
 They complained about the tribute the
Aztecs collected.
 Cortés agreed to give them protection
from the Aztecs in exchange for some of
their warriors.

The Totonacs
The Tlaxcalans
(Tlahsh-CALL-lahns)
This group fought the Spanish, but the
Spanish soldiers held them off and offered
to make peace.
 The Tlaxcalans agreed, and added 1000 of
their own soldiers to the Spanish forces.

The Tlaxcalans Welcome the
Spaniards
The Cholulans
(choh-LOO-lahns)
This group were loyal allies of the Aztecs.
 Malinche overheard a conspiracy to attack
the Spanish and she alerted Cortés.
 As a result, the Spanish conquered the
Cholulan people and they were unable to
warn the Aztecs.

The Cholulans
Moctezuma’s Strategy
Moctezuma chose not to attack the
Spanish right away.
 Instead, he chose to sit back and wait—in
order to see what they were planning to
do.
 As the Spanish drew closer to
Tenochtitlan, he waited and thought about
what to do.

Moctezuma’s Decision
Moctezuma allowed Cortés to enter
Tenochtitlan, exchanged gifts with him,
and welcomed him with a speech.
 Cortés replied that his group were
peaceful.
 Cortés and his forces were taken to live in
the palace of Moctezuma’s late father,
then were shown the glories of the city.

Moctezuma and Cortés
Welcoming Cortés
Gold!
The Spanish were impressed by the great
city, but they were amazed by the giant
market.
 At the market, they saw more golden
treasures, which made them very excited.
 This wealth and the desire to lead this
great society finally caused Cortés to
attack.

The Attack Begins
The Spanish placed Moctezuma under
house arrest in his palace. They looted
gold from the royal palaces and melted it
down.
 They then forced Moctezuma to make
himself a subject of Spanish rule.

The Return of Velázquez
During the first attack, news came to
Cortés that more Spanish troops had
arrived on the coast.
 Their goal was to arrest Cortés in the
name of Governor Velázquez.
 Cortés left Tenochtitlan to deal with this
threat, leaving Pedro de Alvarado in
charge.

Pedro de Alvarado
Alvarado gave the Aztecs permission to
hold a festival.
 However, at the festival he had his troops
kill all the dancers.
 Why do you think he did this?

Cortés and Velázquez
Cortés defeated Velázquez’s forces, and
convinced them to join him in the fight
against the Aztecs.
 When Cortés returned, Tenochtitlan was in
an uproar.

Moctezuma’s Fate
Later, Moctezuma was forced to speak to
his people to calm them, but they threw
stones at their emperor.
 Moctezuma died shortly afterwards, either
from injuries sustained from being hit by
stones, or by being strangled by the
Spanish.

A Small Glimmer of Hope
The Aztecs had time to prepare for Cortés’
return, and they made the most of it.
 They attacked the Spanish and their allies,
killed many of them, and drove the rest
out of Tenochtitlan.

The Final Battle
Cortés returned and attacked Tenochtitlan
with a stronger force about six months
later.
 The smallpox epidemic had killed off about
25% of the Aztec population.
 The Spanish cut the aqueducts to the city,
and after a siege of about 80 days the
Aztecs were defeated.

The Final Battle
The Spanish tore down the city of
Tenochtitlan as they captured it, preparing
to build a new city of their own.
 Only 60,000 Aztecs survived in the city,
which lay in ruins around them.
 The Aztec Empire had ceased to exist. In
its place, Cortés would lay the foundations
of another Spanish colony.
