Hernan Cortes - Reasons for Success :: American America History

Hernan Cortes - Reasons for SuccessWhy was Cortes with 508 soldiers able to conquer the Aztec empire with millions of people?Cortes was able to conquer the Aztecs for some(prenominal) very different reasons. In combination these reasons allowed him to have the upper hand in the conquest of Mexico. arguably these reasons can be sorted into six different categories. The various causes for Cortes conquest will be assessed in a climax pattern. To dispirit with the Aztecs had a harsh tribute system that was not popular among the people of Mexico. This vicious tribute system allowed Cortes to act as a liberator. Furthermore, with the Spanish brought several diseases into Mexico in witch they were immune to but the Aztecs were not. The spread of diseases such as small pox reduced the Aztec population and furthered Cortes success unintentionally likewise Marina was a tribal girl given as a endow to Cortes, she proved invaluable in translating local dialects in combination with Geronimo de Aguilar. excessively an important aspect of his success was due to Montezumas belief that Cortes was Quetzakoatl. A prevailing reason for the Spanish success was due to their weaponry especially their outfit and firepower. Perhaps the most important reason of all was that of Cortes Indian ally such as the Tlaxcalans who made up the majority of his combined army. all in all these reasons worked together to allow Cortes, originally with 508 men to conquer the Aztec Empire of millions of people. To begin with, the Aztecs cruel tribute system allowed Cortes to act as a liberator. The physical process of human sacrifice was extremely parking area and was feared by the majority of the common people. The Aztecs as a nourishment for the Sun and all other gods ask human sacrifice. The Aztecs sacrificed between 10,000 and 50,000 victims per year. As the majority of those who were sacrificed were warfare captives who opposed the Aztecs, they ostensibly greatly feared the brutal tr ibute system. However not only war captives were sacrifices, common adults and children were also sacrificed at times. Cortes himself was disgusted at the thought of human sacrifice, this allowed him to dupe Indian allies as well as gain respect among Mexican tribes that feared and opposed the Aztecs. The majority of the population feared the process indeed making Cortes, whom despised the process, an appealing alternative. Many followed Cortes as they shared the very(prenominal) views on the human sacrifice topic.