Aztec Dbq

The Spanish, led by Hernan Cortez, landed on the Mexican peninsula in search of gold in 1519. Within three years, the Spanish had conquered the Aztec Empire. Accounts of what happened during the first Spanish account differ greatly based on whose account of the attack is read. They differ which means only one is correct.

First, according to an Aztec account, the Spanish attack was completely unprovoked. The Spanish started their attack with the musicians,they slashed at their hands and faces until they all died. Then they attacked the singers, and the spectators. They took 3 hours to kill everyone in the Sacred Patio. Next, they ran into the temple and killed those who were minding their own business and doing their work. Montezuma and other Aztecs that brought food for the Spanish protested “Our lords, that is enough! What are you doing? These people are not carrying shields or macanas. Our lords, they are completely unarmed!”

Second, the Spanish account written by Cortes to his king, Emperor Carlos V. Cortez captured the Aztec chieftains and tied then up. He then left and gave the order to his men to open fire. They
Looking at the Spanish account it seems somewhat biased considering Cortes was trying to please his king. The Aztecs had no one to please, they were just writing their account to explain what happened. On page 400 of our textbook it says “ Montezuma met with Cortes in the hopes of avoiding war.” Which corroborates with the Aztecs account which states, “Our lords, that is enough! What are you doing? These people are not carrying shields or macanas. Our lords, they are completely unarmed!” this means they were unarmed. Which is a direct counter to the Spanish account written by Cortes which states the the Aztecs were pointing spears at him and his