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The Fall of 2 Empires Chapter 4 Section 1 Pages 92-97 Montezuma vs. Cortes • Montezuma- the Aztec emperor • Cortes- lead the Spanish conquerors (conquistadors) The Spanish Arrive: • Montezuma sends messengers to meet the ship which the conquistadors were on • They brought gifts as a welcoming gift to the people they believed might be their gods • Cortez is displeased with the gifts they have brought and places the messengers in chains and fires a cannon to scare them Cortes • Cortez had been sent by the governor of Spain’s colony in Cuba to the mainland of Mexico to: – – – – set up a colony look for gold claim land begin trading with the Native Americans • The government realized that Cortes may act “unjustly” and changed its mind • Cortes disobeyed orders and traveled to Mexico with 600 Spanish soldiers The Trip • Cortes first crossed the Gulf of Mexico to the Yucatan peninsula, he sailed the shores learning all he could from the Maya The Mayan • Although the Mayan empire had already fallen, many decedents still lived there • One chieftain introduced him to: – Malintzin, who spoke both the language of the Mayan, as well as Nahuatl: the language of the Aztec (with Cortes she also learned Spanish) Travel inland • As Cortes was on his way inland to find the riches of the Aztec people he founded a colony and named it Veracruz, this laid Spanish and catholic claims to what is now Mexico No Turning Back • As they continued on foot Cortes destroyed all of his ships to prevent his troops from retreating to Cuba • Montizuma was growing fearful of the Spaniards, he sent sacks of gold to them hoping to satisfy them, however, this only made them want more Tenochtitlan Still unsure of whom they were when the Spaniards entered the city of Tenochtitlan: • That same day, he gave them: – quarters – gifts – through Malintzin, offered Cortes the Aztec empire to control The Capture • Cortes saw that Montezuma feared him, however, he knew that they were now in a dangerous position, they were surrounded by Aztec warriors. • He decided the best way to gain control of the empire would be to capture and hold Montezuma. Conquistadors • While he did this the other conquistadors stole all the gold and other treasures they could, pile it high and stared fires to melt it down. Death of Montezuma • While Montezuma was imprisoned by the Spanish his people turned against him. • He was killed by a fellow Aztec during a revolt against the Spanish. Aztecs Win • Once he had died the Aztec rose up against the Spanish as they fled many were slowed down by the gold they were trying to carry, they were hunted down and killed. Germs • However, after the Aztec chased the Spanish from their empire, they fell ill with smallpox or measles; Brought to them, unknowingly by the Spanish. Return of Cortez • 10 months later Cortes returned with a full army, the Aztecs did not stand a chance against the Spanish steel weapons. Fall of Tenochtitlan • One Tenochtitlan fell Cortes ordered a new city be built: This became Mexico City.