Write any subject of any interesting event or person you learned about this semester in class. Explain why you chose what you did and be sure to give a brief description on your event or person.
History are filled with interesting events and persons. Based on the material I learned during this semester in class, the event that strike me the most was the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire.
European rulers wanted explorers to find riches to bring back to Europe. Hernán Cortés led an expedition to Mexico in 1519. His ships carried 400 conquistadors with horses and weapons. They wanted fame and riches. Cortés had heard about the Aztecs. The Aztecs ruled an empire that covered much of present-day Mexico. Its capital city, Tenochtitlan, was beautiful and huge. It was twice as big as any European city. The Aztec ruler, Moctezuma, welcomed Cortés, but Moctezuma soon sent the Spaniards away. The conquistadors were greedy for gold. His soldiers had horses, guns, and armor, and the Aztecs did not. Smallpox made the Aztecs weak. Cortés defeated them. The entire conquest of the Aztec Empire took approximately less than 3 years.
With this particular event, it showed me that nothing is impossible. The only barrier is your determination and your willingness. How can 400 conquistadors conquer a might Aztec Empire? Hernan Cortes knew that with only 400 solders, there are no way he can attack the Aztec Empire. However, his determination and his skillful tactics like gaining allied with the Indians help him tremendously. Also, when he burned down most of his ship, he was very determined that he will stay in the long run. It also showed that when their armies were forced out from the capital city, Tenochtitlan, they were almost at their last leg. They remained focus and reassemble their group to invade the capital city one more time. They didn’t just march back in. Instead, they remained calm and employed skillful tactics to cut the food supply and capture the leader. This event gave me a lasting impression that even when all odds are against you, it is still possible to overcome all obstacle and turn around the situation.
European rulers wanted explorers to find riches to bring back to Europe. Hernán Cortés led an expedition to Mexico in 1519. His ships carried 400 conquistadors with horses and weapons. They wanted fame and riches. Cortés had heard about the Aztecs. The Aztecs ruled an empire that covered much of present-day Mexico. Its capital city, Tenochtitlan, was beautiful and huge. It was twice as big as any European city. The Aztec ruler, Moctezuma, welcomed Cortés, but Moctezuma soon sent the Spaniards away. The conquistadors were greedy for gold. His soldiers had horses, guns, and armor, and the Aztecs did not. Smallpox made the Aztecs weak. Cortés defeated them. The entire conquest of the Aztec Empire took approximately less than 3 years.
With this particular event, it showed me that nothing is impossible. The only barrier is your determination and your willingness. How can 400 conquistadors conquer a might Aztec Empire? Hernan Cortes knew that with only 400 solders, there are no way he can attack the Aztec Empire. However, his determination and his skillful tactics like gaining allied with the Indians help him tremendously. Also, when he burned down most of his ship, he was very determined that he will stay in the long run. It also showed that when their armies were forced out from the capital city, Tenochtitlan, they were almost at their last leg. They remained focus and reassemble their group to invade the capital city one more time. They didn’t just march back in. Instead, they remained calm and employed skillful tactics to cut the food supply and capture the leader. This event gave me a lasting impression that even when all odds are against you, it is still possible to overcome all obstacle and turn around the situation.