The Conquistadors: Hernando Cortés
(Lecture Notes from Mr. Kersey's 8th Grade U.S. History Class)- The Aztec Indians believed that the greatest of their gods, Quetzalcoatl, would return from the east one day to reclaim all his lands.
- Imagine what the Aztec thought when Hernando Cortés showed up on their beaches the very day the great god of peace was supposed to return.
- Cortés was a warrior from Spain, battle hardened and thirsty for glory.
- He had been sent to conquer the New World and bring back gold and riches.
- The Aztecs thought he was their god, returning to claim his land.
- The leader of the Aztecs, Moctezuma, wasn’t so sure.
- At First Moctezuma thought Cortés was their god, so he sent gifts of gold and jewels, and fine clothing.
- The next day, Moctezuma thought maybe these strangers were really men, not gods, so he threatened them and ordered them to stay on the beach.
- Moctezuma had already waited too long.
- Cortés marched toward Tenochtitlán (tuh-nock-tit-LAN), the capitol city of the Aztecs, and their greatest city.
- The Aztecs sent more gifts, and told the Spaniards to turn back, but Cortés marched on.
- On his way, Cortés heard stories of the incredible power of the Aztecs, and the human sacrifices to appease their gods.
- Funny, but it seemed some of the people along the way wanted to help Cortés. Apparently they were tired of being sacrificed.
- When Cortés arrived he and his men saw a city unlike any in their dreams.
- And with the help of the Aztec’s enemies, Cortés captured Moctezuma, and over the course of a year, destroyed the city and took all of its gold and riches.
- Nothing remains of Tenochtitlán today, except trinkets and memories.
- Cortés goes on to subdue the rest of the Aztec empire, renames the great city Mexico City, and sends ship upon ship of gold to Spain, gaining the glory he always wanted.
