Transcript Slide 1
Aztecs & Spaniards Gloria Fiero, The Humanistic Tradition, pp. 459-466 • Study of Mesoamerican societies is limited by the lack of written sources. • The earliest accounts of the Aztec and Inca come from the Spanish conquerors and missionaries and are distorted by their prejudices. • Nevertheless, those accounts plus oral traditions and archaeological evidence make it possible to describe those societies in some detail. دراسة المجتمعات أمريكا .الوسطى محدودة بسبب عدم وجود مصادر مكتوبة The Spanish in the Americas • During Columbus’ voyages, he encountered people native to the area. • He called them “Indians” ‘cause he mistakenly thought he had reached the “Indies” territories of China and India. • Conquistadores: refer to Spanish adventurers who sought wealth and fortune in the New World. خالل رحالت • Spanish voyagers were led by Hernan Cortes (1485-1547) • Small force; 600 soldiers, 20 horses, gunpowder & muskets • In 1521, Spanish + Aztec forces fought. After 75 days, the Spanish completely destroyed Tenochtitlan. Hernan Cortes Initial Encounters • Cortes and his men began their mission in 1519. • Cortes began wandering the area, and met with representative of the Aztec ruler Moctezuma. • The Aztecs gathered information and provided Cortes with gifts. • Second group of Aztecs brought more gifts and asked the Spaniards not attempt to come to Tenochtitlan. Initial Encounters • Cortes began making alliance with subjects unhappy about paying tribute to Aztec empire. • Cortes removed idols from temples and replaced them with Catholic cross. Spanish fight Tlaxcalla • The Spaniards and their allies invaded the state of Tlaxcala. • The Tlaxcalans and Spaniards fought each other. • Unable to defeat the Spaniards who had better weapons, the Tlaxcalan agreed to ally with Cortés. Spanish fight Cholula • Cortés and his Tlaxcallan allies moved on to Cholula, a major city under Aztec control. • After being granted permission to enter the city, they massacred 4,000–5,000 people, including the king. Attaching Tenochtitlan • Spaniards blockaded the island and cut it off from supplies for 75 days. Many died. • the lack of integration made it possible for Cortés to form alliances with conquered nobles who saw these alliances as a way of removing the Aztecs. • Cortes entered Tenochtitlan and massacred 8,000-10,000 nobles. • Aztecs rebelled and Spaniards fled to Tlaxcala were they remained for five months. • . مات الكثير. يوما75 االسبان حاصرت الجزيرة وبقطعها من إمدادات لمدة عدم وجود تكامل جعلت من الممكن لكورتيس لتشكيل تحالفات مع غزا النبالء .الذين رأوا هذه التحالفات كوسيلة إلزالة األزتيك . النبالء10،000-8،000 دخلت كورتيس تينوختيتالن وذبح .األزتيك تمرد وهرب االسبان لتالكسكاال كانوا ظلت لمدة خمسة أشهر Reasons for the Spanish Victory Technology of Gunpowder and muskets Religious prophecy (that Quetzalcoatl would return as a bearded white man) Rebellious Aztec subjects support of the Spaniards Outbreak of smallpox among the Aztecs From Cortes Letters from Mexico Spanish destroyed Tenochtitlan, little evidence left to assess. Cortes wrote several letters to the Holy Roman Emperor. Exert of his second letter written in 1520. Letter important ‘cause it provides details of Aztecs cultural achievements Provides details of the Europeans initial reaction to encountering the Aztecs. Discussion Question • What aspects of Aztec life and culture favorably impressed Cortes? Of what was he critical? See answer in detail in the reading • Cortes was impressed by the architecture, buildings, markets, and city planning and water canals. • He was very critical of their religious beliefs (believing in more than one god) and religious practices (human sacrifice). ، واألسواق، والمباني،وقد أعجب كورتيس من العمارة .وتخطيط المدن والقنوات المائية The Aftermath of Conquest • Gold and silver brought wealth to Spaniards • Exploitation of the native population: enslaved for use in miners and field laborers. • European diseases such as smallpox and inhuman treatment devastated the natives 1521: Mexica population 25 million 1600, Mexica population one millio جلب الذهب والفضة والثروة الالسبان :استغالل السكان األصليين Spanish Cruelties . • • Reports revealed the cruelty of Spanish imperialism The illustration of Theodore de Bry, raised awareness of the crimes and led some Spanish missionaries to condemn the treatment. Empires Vanished • Unlike the civilizations of India, China and Africa, which have enjoyed a continuous history from ancient times until the present. • None of these empires that once flourished in ancient America has survived into modern times. • Remnants of these populations remain today among small groups in the US and Mexico التي،خالفا للحضارات الهند والصين وأفريقيا Home work Read “The Spaniards and the Tlaxcalans” (453-457). The Colombian Exchange • Short term: devastation • Long term: positive--commerce & culture. • The Columbian Exchange: interchange of hundreds of good and products between Western Europe & the Americas. 1. Europe introduced: horses, cattle pigs, etc. 2. Traded fruits, vegetables etc The Columbian Exchange • Vibrant new culture: mix of Europeans, natives Americans altered the population. (technology, food, dance, language). • Mestizo: a person of mixed racial ancestry Europeans + Native Americans.