Short And Long-Term Effects Of Spanish On Aztec Warfare

In Aztec time, their self made weapons had changed dramatically after the arrival of the Spanish. Aztec weapons were improved with much stronger ones from the Spanish. There are a few long and short term effects between both of the nations. This essay will explain the short and long term effects of the arrival of the Spanish on Aztec warfare.

The Aztecs believed in many gods. Quetzacotl was one of the gods, and they believed that on Quetzacotl’s birthday, he would appear to Mesoamerica in the flesh. On Quetzacotl’s birthday, big boats (ships) arrived on shore. And out came “Quetzacotl” (Hernando Cortez) and his men. The Aztecs brought Quetzacotl (Spanish) gifts such as fruit, vegetables, jade and gold. Their god also bought newer things such as fruit, vegetables, cattle, armour, weapons and in the end, diseases.
Most of the weapons broke after a few uses. Their weapons were ‘made out of obsidian and wood’.(source 1) They had blunt weapons which made it hard for the Aztecs to hunt or sacrifice. After the arrival, the Spanish gave the Aztecs steel weapons, such as ‘swords, bows and steel arrows, lances, crossbows and harquebus (musket).’(source 1) Spanish armour were ‘made of steel’, (source 1) and are heavy and hot in the sun. Aztecs used ‘padded cotton and feathers’ (source 1) which helped Aztecs stay cool. The Spanish were more powerful than the